Golden Generation CDC holds 10th annual quiz and lecture session, expands ICT training initiative for youth empowerment

By Bukola Hameed

The Golden Generation Community Development Club (GGCDC) is set to host the 10th edition of its Annual Quiz Competition and Lecture Session, a flagship event promoting academic excellence and community development among young learners.

The programme is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Oranyan Grammar School 1, Sabo, Oyo, Oyo State, starting at 11:00 a.m.

This year’s theme, “From Memorization to Mastery: Helping Students Excel in the New Curriculum,” underscores the need for students to move beyond rote learning toward genuine understanding, creativity, and practical mastery.

Delivering the keynote address is Professor (Mrs.) Sekinat Adejoke Kola-Aderoju, a distinguished scholar and mentor from the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, KolaDaisi University, Ibadan. She is expected to offer deep insights on how students can adapt effectively to the new curriculum and achieve academic excellence through critical thinking and comprehension.

Speaking ahead of the event, the President of the organisation, Engr. Jimoh Lawal Akinlabi, highlighted GGCDC’s new direction and major expansion plans for 2025, particularly in the area of digital literacy.

“What’s new in 2025,” Engr. Akinlabi stated, “is that GGCDC is significantly scaling up our flagship ICT-training initiative. In the first year (2015), we trained just 10 first-year students. Each subsequent year we increased that number, and in 2025, we are planning to train 50 students. That jump reflects our growing capacity, ambition, and belief that digital skills are essential in today’s world.”

He explained that the increased number of beneficiaries will not only expand the club’s reach but also strengthen its membership base, as many trainees voluntarily join the club after completing the ICT programme.

“We are not just conducting one-off training sessions,” he added. “We are building a sustainable community of young people equipped with relevant skills, leadership capacity, and a passion for service.”

Engr. Akinlabi further outlined why the 2025 plan matters, noting that the move from training 10–20 students to 50 represents a major leap in impact.

He emphasized that the expansion supports four key goals:

“More students gaining access to ICT and digital literacy skills critical for education and employment, membership growth through voluntary enrolment of trainees into the GGCDC network, enhanced sustainability via peer mentoring, leadership development, and continuity, and, community development by linking ICT empowerment to broader goals such as youth engagement, talent development, and poverty reduction.”

On how the club intends to manage the expanded programme, he said GGCDC will maintain a rigorous selection process, ensure quality instructional delivery and mentorship, and track outcomes — not only by counting the number of students trained but by measuring their long-term engagement and community impact.

Summarizing the club’s vision, Engr. Akinlabi stated: “What makes 2025 different is scale, membership integration, and a deepening of our commitment to turning ICT training into long-term youth empowerment and community development. The club is evolving from simply training students to building a generation.”

Now marking its 10th anniversary, the Golden Generation CDC Annual Quiz and Lecture Series continues to serve as a vital platform for nurturing intellectual growth, promoting moral values, and fostering community service among students across Oyo and beyond.