Grand Alliance Summer Program for Teens Kicks Off At AUN

A two-week Summer Program for youth A from Adamawa State kicked off on Monday, May 26, at the American University of Nigeria. Declaring the program open, Mr. Muhammadu Sani Jada, a
member of the Grand Alliance for Adamawa and Project Manager of the state-owned Local
Apprenticeship Scheme, described the program as a “pilot project” which would be expanded if the
objectives are met.
Describing it as an eye opener for the students, Mr. Jada encouraged them to “maximize and exploit the
opportunity” so that they will in turn serve as mentors to their school mates back in their schools.
Mr. Reginald Braggs of the AUN Student Affairs Dept, who chairs the Alliance’s Youth Committee,
welcomed the participating youth and explained what was expected of them. The 100 students are from
two secondary schools in Yola: Aliyu Musdafa Secondary School, a public institution, and REMI
Educational Foundation, a private institution. Each of these schools provided 50 students across both
genders but combined and divided into age groups for effective mentoring. The program provides
lunch, writing materials, and transport to and from their school during the program.
The program’s curriculum incorporates career guidance, peace education, self-esteem building, and
entrepreneurship under the mentorship of AUN students.
Vice President McKee of AUN Schools & Educational Program and Chairperson of the Grand
Alliance Curriculum Committee spoke of the objectives of the program: “For these youth to gain an
understanding of skills to be employable, to be entrepreneurs, and get ideas of what to aspire to. We
want them to be able to dream for a future and get to know themselves, to know each other, meet other
people, and understand each other through the peace curriculum that we have integrated into the
program.”
The students will learn aspects of employability and social skills, as well as attend field trips to selected
industrial outfits. The program will conclude with a sports-fun day and awards ceremony on June 5.
The Grand Alliance Summer Program for Youth is held in collaboration with the Local Apprenticeship
Scheme and proudly supported by Adama Beverages, Professor John Leonard of AUN Graduate
School, Standard Microfinance Bank, Yes Fairways Farms, West African Catering, Gotel
Communications, Federal Medical Center–Yola, state government-backed Local Apprenticeship
Scheme, Yola Electrical Distribution Company, and AUN.
The Grand Alliance for Adamawa is a network of concerned individuals and organizations committed
to improving the economic and social development in Yola, Jimeta, and Adamawa State partnering to
make a positive impact in the community.