Chairman of the World Organisation of Scout Movement (WOSM), Andrew Chapman, has explained why scouting has the potency to produce better leaders that will take society to greater heights.
Chapman stated this while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja during the national parade and presidential awards organised by the organisation.
According to him, scouting is all about building confidence and self-esteem, learning important life skills and leadership skills, team building, outdoor adventure, education, and fun.
He stressed that Scouts learn how to make good choices and take responsibility for their actions in their adult lives as independent persons.
The WOSM boss noted that this year’s scout jamboree taking place in the nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, would remind the young people that they are part of the global community.
Chapman, who came to Nigeria from Chicago to witness the award ceremony, expressed optimism that scouts who would become leaders at various levels in the country in the future would apply the noble skills and values they acquired in their early years in life to render exemplary and exceptional leadership to the nation.
Also speaking, Director, African Region of WOSM, Frederic Tutu-Tutu Kama Kama, said that highly-qualitative Scouts had been trained in Nigeria, assuring that they are going to have a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians and the country at large.
He said that in scouting, they teach young people how to love each other, live in peace among each other and give peace to the society in general, stressing that the way to achieve world peace is not by war or the use of weapons, but through heart to heart and love for each other.
Kama Kama, who underscored the importance of recognising and rewarding people who had made meaningful contributions to the development of the society, said that troubles do erupt in societies because those who contributed so much are not rewarded or given recognition.
About 1,500 delegates across the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, are expected to take part in the Nigerian National Scouts Parade and Presidential Award, which is the second edition, and the largest scouting jamboree in Africa.
