The Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA, in partnership with the National Library of Nigeria, has encouraged students of Ogudu Senior Secondary School to balance technology use with creativity while developing the skills needed to lead and make a positive impact.
The call was made on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, during the 2026 Basic Education and Literacy Day held at Ogudu Senior Secondary School, Ogudu GRA, Lagos.
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The programme, organised around the theme “Read, Think & Lead: Building Young Minds for a Brighter Future,” featured a debate, spelling bee, interactive session, leadership election and the presentation of books to the school.
About 200 students attended the programme, according to the school’s Principal, Mrs Abiye E.U.
The event opened with the National Anthem led by Rotarian Joy Uzoho, Youth Chair of the Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA, followed by prayers led by two students representing the Christian and Muslim faiths.
In her remarks, the Principal expressed appreciation to the Rotary Club for its continued support and annual literacy and debate activities at the school.
She also highlighted some of the school’s needs, identifying the library as a major priority and appealing for support to improve learning resources.
Responding to the requests, Rtn. Ayodeji Odumosu, Impactful President of the Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA, thanked the school management and acknowledged the needs presented by the Principal.
Odumosu assured the school that the Rotary Club would do its best to support the areas highlighted by the school.
Uzoho subsequently introduced members of the Rotary delegation before students took centre stage in the debate competition.
The debate featured four female students, with two contestants representing SS2 and two representing SS3, who considered the motion, “Technology has made us more productive but less creative.”
Explaining the rationale behind the debate, Uzoho said the objective was not to portray technology as entirely beneficial or harmful but to encourage students to use it without losing their creative abilities.
“We’re not saying technology is bad, and we’re not saying technology is good. Whichever one you want to use, balance it. You shouldn’t allow it to take your creative mind,” she said.
She added that while technology could provide speed and accuracy, students should continue to develop their creativity and use what they learn to make positive contributions to society.
Unlike a conventional competition, no winner or loser was announced at the end of the debate, as the organisers emphasised that all the participating students were winners.
The programme proceeded with a spelling bee involving three students, with one contestant representing each of SS1, SS2 and SS3.
The Deputy Director of the National Library of Nigeria, Mrs Obianuju Onuorah, also addressed the students and described the programme as part of the continued efforts of Rotary to promote education and nurture young minds.
Onuorah said the National Library valued its partnership with Rotary, noting that the collaboration had been sustained over the years.
She said the programme would help students become more aware of educational resources that could contribute to their development.
The National Library representative subsequently presented books donated to the school to Rtn. Ayodeji Odumosu, who received them on behalf of the Rotary Club.
Odumosu then handed the books to the Principal, Mrs Abiye E.U., who formally presented them to the school’s Library Prefect.
Onuorah described the National Library and Rotary as “partners in progress, nurturing young minds” and expressed hope that the partnership would continue.
The event also provided an opportunity for students to engage the Rotarians in an interactive session, where they asked questions about life, personal development and other issues.
According to Uzoho and other members of the club, the session was designed to provide guidance and help the students make informed decisions.
The school’s Headgirl, Simon Susan, said the interaction helped students gain clarity on issues they had previously been uncertain about.
“I feel the students have come to an understanding that they actually need certain things, and their doubts have been cleared about certain things they feel should be right or wrong,” she said.
The newly appointed Headboy, Ismail Fatsi, also described the programme as valuable, saying it exposed students to lessons about different aspects of life.
Fatsi said the message on pursuing success through legitimate means particularly resonated with him, urging students to avoid depending on quick money or other harmful ways of making a living.
He thanked the Rotary Club and the National Library of Nigeria and expressed hope that similar programmes would continue.
Beyond the academic activities, an election was also conducted among the school’s Interactors to select a new Interactor President-elect, providing students with an opportunity to participate in leadership and democratic processes.
Students who participated in the debate and spelling bee received gifts, while school bags and snacks were distributed to all students at the event.
The Principal, Mrs Abiye E.U., said the programme had made a significant impact on the students.
“The programme was very impactful. The debate, the spelling bee, and a lot of the questions were answered because the children really enjoyed the programme,” she said.
She added that the distribution of school bags and snacks to the students was particularly appreciated, thanking Rtn. Ayodeji Odumosu and members of the Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA for their support.
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The programme ended with renewed emphasis on reading, creativity, responsible technology use and leadership as essential tools for preparing young people for the future.
