800 Scouts Venture Into Badagry Jungle

The ancient town of Badagry, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, is playing host to this year’s Eko Scout Jamboree as at least 800 scout members across the country and Ghana have begun camping in a remote part of the ancient town’s jungle.

Young boys ranging from eight years and above were camped at the venue located between Apovita and Agido communities for the week- long activities that featured the commemoration of the 22nd World Scout Jamboree. Already, the world event is being held in Sweden. The Lagos version held from 31 July to 7 August, 2011.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the camp, Governor Babatunde Fashola who said he was impressed by the gathering, enjoined the members to always be prepared to help others in need to make the world a better place than they met it.

Fashola, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Youth and Social Development, Dr. Dolapo Badru, said the need to engage the youths to make them useful to themselves and the society was the major reason the state government re-launched uniformed voluntary clubs and societies in public schools in 2009.

He said movements like Scout would equip young people with necessary skills, self-confidence and the sense of patriotism to enable them take up their daily and future responsibilities and challenges.

“If you want to be like Fashola, you have to listen to your ACADA, troopers, commissioners and everything they teach you and how they want to develop you and your mind into a future governor. You do not pray for anybody to have accident but at the back of your mind, you are always ready to help.

“You always must be prepared, be prepared to live your life, to face your studies, to do what made your leaders become who they are and the challenges that come along with it. In my little way, when you call on me, I will always respond,” he counselled.

“I feel great to be here. I have leant to always be prepared and to be on the alert all the time and not to run immediately hearing the sound of a gun but rather to wait to see where it emanates from to take the right decision,” said 14-year old Fawaz Abubakar, a Junior Secondary School 111 student, of Okota Grammar School.

“I have learnt a lot; I was particularly fascinated by the way the tents, toilets and bridges were set. I’m proud to be here,” Chime Irene, Senior Secondary School 1 student of Eva Adelaja Grammar School, Bariga added.

Chief Commissioner of the Boys Scout, Rev. Kunle Amolegbe, enjoined members to always abide by the Scout Promise, which is; “To do our best to create a better and peaceful world for everybody to live and enjoy.”