Training the Trainers in Nigeria - part 2

The second part of a two-phase Training of Trainers (TOT) run by MRA/IofC Nigeria concluded on Saturday, June 22 at the IofC centre in Lagos. (See report of part 1 here)The workshops are designed to equip leaders to run Initiatives of Change training events to inspire, connect and equip change makers. This time the numbers of those attending were even higher than in the first past of training, with participants coming from various parts of Lagos and Eastern Nigeria.

The workshop was officially opened at 10am by Barrister Abiodun Owoseni with a welcome and singing of the second stanza of the Nigerian national anthem. This was followed by a recap of ground rules laid down in phase one.

Victor Gotevbe spoke briefly on the activities of the day and assured participants they would leave with fresh knowledge, new insight and inspiration to take action. Owoseni guided the participants through a recap of Phase 1 and called on the participants to share lessons they had learnt and how they were beneficial. With improvised drumming on a door, Benafa Pena (a.k.a. Blaise) supported by Daniel Arubayi then launched the participants into the first session:  ‘Understanding Group Dynamics’ led by Gotevbe. The session covered what a trainer should do well and the need to understand behavioural systems and psychological processes occurring within or between social groups. This included the Johari Window technique, created by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham in the United States, which was used to help people better understand their relationship with self and others; facilitation skills and the six thinking hats by Edward De Bono.

At tea break participants engaged and connected more before viewing two videos: ‘Change Blindness’ and the ‘Monkey Business Illusion’. These videos illustrated that we often miss large changes to our visual world from one view to the next. That we’re often not able to see large changes that will appear to be perfectly obvious to somebody who knows they are going to happen.

Subsequently, the participants broke into four groups to discuss the first session and the videos. Obas Ukoko took over the facilitation with the teaching of his internationally recognized song: United as one we stand. Everybody was energized by the strength and spirit of the song to the extent they were singing the song excitedly thereafter. Obas then called for feedback. Each group had a representative who gave a short presentation.

In his second presentation, titled Training Cycle in Brief, Victor took the participants through Training Needs Assessment (TNA), Training Design, Training Delivery, Training Evaluation and Presentation Skills (using voice, understanding body language and speech making).  After the presentation, there was lunch break. Afterwards, some participants were randomly selected to practice what they had learnt either by way of public speaking, demonstration during training sessions or ice breakers to get the group together. It left the audience thrilled and wanting more. The testimonials haven’t stopped flowing in.

Finally, Barrister Owoseni gave the wrap-up speech urging all to leave the TOT as true IofC trainers while holding on to the MRA/IofC tools for change which he took them through. The meeting ended with participants and members of the MRA/IofC council of Management praising the faculty for a well thought out training programme. Indeed, it is an idea whose time has come. The training was formally closed with Obas leading a team of other gifted singers singing United as one we Stand and the announcement of the MRA/IofC Nigeria Artistes Programme.

Report by Victor Gotevbe