AFLC 2026: SECOND MENTORSHIP YARD HOLDS

 

   The session was focused on reviewing participants’ previous performances, providing constructive feedback, strengthening their leadership and communication skills, clarifying aspects of the competition guidelines, and introducing the assignment for the new week.

Opening and Review of Previous Performance

The meeting commenced with an opening prayer led by the Mentorship Leader. Following the prayer, she proceeded to review the participants’ performances in the previous task.

She appreciated the participants for their commitment, efforts, and level of participation while also drawing their attention to areas that required improvement. She provided constructive corrections and highlighted some of the errors observed in their submissions. Her feedback was aimed at helping the participants identify their weaknesses, improve their delivery, and attain a higher standard in subsequent tasks.

Mentorship and Performance Evaluation

Following the session led by the Mentorship Leader, the mentor continued with a detailed assessment of the participants’ previous performances. He commended their efforts and acknowledged the progress demonstrated by several participants, particularly in their ability to express themselves, speak confidently, and carry out the assigned task.

However, he also identified a number of technical and presentation-related shortcomings that needed to be addressed. These included poor positioning of the camera, excessive distance between the participant and the recording device, blurry video quality, and inadequate audio clarity, which sometimes made it difficult to hear the participant clearly. He further pointed out other lapses arising from failure to adhere strictly to the instructions provided for the task.

The participants were therefore encouraged to exercise greater care when preparing and recording their future submissions. They were advised to pay attention not only to the substance of their speeches but also to the technical quality, audibility, visibility, presentation, and overall compliance of their submissions with the stipulated requirements.

Leadership Development and Motivation

The mentor also used the session to encourage the participants to recognise the broader developmental value of their involvement in the AFLC 2026 . He emphasised that the competition should not be viewed solely as a platform for winning but also as an avenue for developing confidence, effective communication, discipline, responsibility, and leadership capacity.

He reminded the participants that they represent the future and encouraged them to begin cultivating the qualities of responsible leadership from an early stage. He stressed that experiences gained through the competition could contribute significantly to their personal development and prepare them for leadership responsibilities in the future.

In reinforcing this message, he used the expression, “Better world, you and I. You and I, better world,” to emphasise the collective responsibility of young people in contributing to the creation of a better society.

Clarification on Gmail, Anonymous Participation and Voting

Another area addressed during the session was the use of Gmail accounts, anonymous participation, comments, and voting within the competition.

The mentor explained the concerns surrounding the use of anonymous identities and multiple accounts to influence the voting process. He noted that repeatedly voting for a particular participant through anonymous identities or multiple accounts could undermine the integrity and fairness of the competition and would be contrary to the established rules.

He therefore emphasised the importance of understanding and adhering to the official competition guidelines. The discussion was intended to create greater awareness among participants regarding the proper use of the available platforms and to promote fairness, transparency, and integrity throughout the competition.

Introduction of the New Weekly Assignment

The mentor subsequently introduced the assignment for the week, titled “Fighting against Cancer.” He provided the participants with specific guidelines to be observed in the preparation and presentation of the task.

The first instruction was that each participant should begin the presentation by identifying themselves as a participant in the AFLC 2026 . The recommended introduction was:

“Good day, everyone. My name is __________, and I am a participant of the AFLC 2026.”

Participants were further instructed to include a short prayer in their presentation for the popular Nigerian actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

Another requirement was that every AFLC 2026 participant should make a contribution of ₦1,000 towards cancer advocacy and support. Participants were also instructed to encourage members of the general public to make a contribution of ₦1,000 towards the same cause.

In addition, each participant was required to identify a notable personality in Nigeria and appeal to such an individual to establish or support an account or initiative dedicated to cancer advocacy and assistance.

The final aspect of the assignment centred on encouraging people affected by cancer to speak out and seek appropriate assistance. Participants were advised to use their speeches to promote awareness and encourage individuals experiencing cancer-related challenges not to remain silent about their situations. The familiar expression, “A problem shared is a problem half solved,” was referenced to reinforce the importance of speaking out and seeking support.

Closing of the Meeting

Following the completion of the discussions and the communication of the weekly assignment, the meeting proceeded to its concluding session.

The closing prayer was led by Mrs. Jaiyeola, a parent, after which the meeting came to an end.

Conclusion

The AFLC 2026 Mentorship Yard Meeting provided a valuable platform for reviewing participants’ previous performances, identifying areas requiring improvement, and providing guidance for enhanced performance in subsequent tasks.

The session also placed considerable emphasis on leadership development, effective communication, adherence to competition guidelines, and responsible participation. The introduction of the “Fighting against Cancer” assignment further provided participants with an opportunity to combine their communication skills with social awareness and advocacy.

Overall, the meeting was constructive and developmental, with participants receiving practical guidance intended to improve both their performance in the competition and their broader personal and leadership capabilities.