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Education is more than just textbooks, examinations, and certificates; it’s a social service designed to shape minds, build character, and prepare young people for life beyond the classroom. In today’s rapidly evolving society, academic excellence alone is no longer sufficient to equip secondary school students for the realities they face. Across public and private secondary schools in Oyo State, many students struggle with a lack of mentorship, poor life direction, emotional challenges, leadership gaps, and career uncertainty.
These challenges, if left unaddressed, often manifest in declining moral values, loss of purpose, indiscipline, and underachievement—despite academic instruction. The missing link in secondary education is intentional student coaching, life skills training, leadership development, and value reorientation. These elements are critical to raising balanced, responsible, and future-ready citizens.
Akinrinade Damilola Emmanuel, a trained educator, student coach, life coach, and public speaker, proposes a collaborative mentorship and student development initiative in partnership with the Oyo State Ministry/Department of Education. This initiative is designed to complement existing academic structures within secondary schools—both public and private.
The program will focus on student mentorship and personal development, leadership and civic responsibility, career guidance and goal setting, emotional intelligence and resilience, moral values and character building, and responsible use of media and digital platforms. These can be delivered through school-based seminars, workshops, coaching sessions, career talks, and student engagement forums, tailored to the realities of today’s learners.
The future of Oyo State—and Nigeria at large—depends on the quality of young people being raised today. Students who are mentored, guided, and inspired are more likely to stay focused academically, make responsible life choices, develop leadership capacity, and contribute positively to society.
Holistic education reduces social vices and nurtures youths who are not only educated but also value-driven and purpose-oriented. Oyo State can raise a generation of students who are not only academically sound but also morally upright, emotionally intelligent, and socially responsible by integrating mentorship, life coaching, and leadership development into secondary education.
This initiative is particularly relevant given the Oyo State Government’s efforts to empower youths through skills acquisition and leadership training. The Oyo State Agency for Youth Development is working to mobilize, guide, and empower youths to become responsible citizens.
In conclusion, education must go beyond academics to truly serve humanity. By prioritizing holistic student mentorship, Oyo State can unlock the potential of its young people and create a brighter future for the state and Nigeria as a whole.
Akinrinade Damilola Emmanuel is a Teacher, Student Coach, Life Coach, and Public Speaker with multiple professional certifications, including a Diploma in Total Quality Management and a Certificate in Radio Broadcasting and Management.
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