The Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), an agency under the ministry of youth development, has awarded citizenship badges to 43 final students of Premiere Academy, Abuja, in recognition of their leadership skills, character, and civic responsibility.
The students were awarded the prestigious badge of honour for distinguishing themselves during the just concluded course MS O62 Leadership Skills Programme organised by the centre.
Recipients of these badges are recognised as official ambassadors of the centre, charged with modeling good behaviour, integrity, and responsible citizenship in their schools, workplaces, and communities. Earning a badge demonstrates that a participant has successfully navigated physical and mental challenges, teamwork exercises, and survival or adventure modules that test endurance and problem-solving.
Rinsola Abiola, the director-general at CLTC, represented by Ebiwari Elehibiri, the director of training at the agency, applauded Premiere Academy for embracing the newly introduced Mobile Training Programme of the centre which has now replaced the traditional physical training programmes held at Shere Hills and the Apapa Sea School.
Abiola encouraged the students to regard the badges presented to them as symbols of honour, discipline, achievement, and responsibility. She explained that similar badges are awarded to deserving military and paramilitary personnel who distinguish themselves through exemplary service and commitment.
‘I urge you to wear the badges with pride and, more importantly, to let the values and lessons acquired during the training reflect in your conduct, leadership, and service to the society,’ she said.
Chris Akinsowon, Premiere Academy’s principal, while commending the students’ outstanding sense of discipline and good conduct during the training, noted that the programme directly reinforces the school’s three operational pillars namely, safe, strong, and set to lead.
Besides, he said it undescored management’s commitment to shaping character alongside academic achievement among the student community.
‘The two-week leadership training saw the students receive lectures on citizenship, leadership and responsibility, alongside sessions on self-expression, values and character development, skills-for life entrepreneurship training as well as the effects of drugs and substance abuse, all of which build the foundation for safety and strong personal discipline,’ he noted.
Akinsowon further emphasised that the training also consisted of practical and physically demanding components, including observation and scavenger hunt exercises, knotting, map work, an obstacle course, and gadget climbing, all aimed at building resilience, teamwork and confidence.
‘All of these are aimed at equipping the students with the discipline and leadership qualities the school seeks to instill in its products.
‘This initiative goes beyond academic excellence in the truest sense. It places students in a structured, disciplined environment led by trainers experienced in developing leadership under pressure, and it ties recognition directly to conduct,’ he said.
In addition, he said, ‘The school expects the programme to leave a lasting impression on the students’ character and sense of responsibility as they prepare to transition from secondary school into the next stage of life.’
Moreover, Akinsowon explained that the badges which are ordinarily reserved for outstanding military officers and para-military trainees were issued to the students both as a mark of achievement and as a salute to their disciplined conduct throughout the training.
‘This gesture preserves the significance and prestige of the badge while giving the students a tangible, earned symbol of the discipline and leadership qualities that are the hallmark of the exercise,’ he explained.
The course, themed ‘Future-Ready Teen Leaders: Building Character, Competence and Capacity for Effective Leadership and Responsible Citizenship,’ focused on equipping the participants with the character, competence, confidence, and leadership capacity required to become responsible and impactful citizens.
CLTC is an institution under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development that provides informal, experiential leadership and citizenship education.
It is largely responsible for training military and paramilitary officers on discipline and leadership and uses adventure and outdoor training to build character, strategic thinking, resilience, and teamwork among trainees with the goals of promoting self-discovery, discipline, and patriotism through physical and mental challenges.