40yrs-in-Scouting: I took after my parents to champion moral values – Tola Adenekan

A Youth Leader Emeritus, Dr Tola Adenekan, has revealed the secret behind his leadership excellence across board within his last forty years in “Boy Scout” now known as “The Scout Association of Nigeria”.

The seasoned journalist who also functions as a Development Consultant and Cleric stated this in his Abeokuta office when fielding questions from pressmen at a mini media chat marking his forty years journey in the Scout Movement.

Dr Adenekan’s First Certificate in 1984

Having excelled at all levels of leadership of the World Organisation of Scout Movement (WOSM), he disclosed that the secret to his successful leadership as a Scout Leader was hidden in a book owned by his father who also was a Scout, titled, “First Step in Scouting”, adding that his mother who also a member of Nigeria Girls Guide Association mentored him.

Dr Adenekan hinted that the fascination of a chameleon— changing its colour to that of a cloth— brought from Scout camp by one of his neighbours, was an added factor which propelled him in 1979 to join the Scout Movement at the prestigious Abeokuta Grammar School, Abeokuta.

Dr Tola Adenekan in Scouting

Speaking about the essence of Scout Association to every Scout, the Clergyman referred to himself as a beneficiary of core values embedded in Scouting, saying the qualities that make up of every egalitarian society; self-reliance, integrity and responsible citizenship were scheduled to be easily instilled into all Scouts in the course of their membership.

Hence, the easy-going civil servant explained that enviable moral values have become the Identity of every Scout going by their ways of life.

Dr Adenekan however frowned at the twenty-first century trending norms; a situation where parents focus more than necessary on academic excellence, and neglect morals that make up good character.

“The mission of Scouting is to develop the character of young people, training them in values of self-reliance, leadership and responsible citizenship”, Dr Adenekan began.

“The code of conduct of Scouting is based on trustworthiness, loyalty, kindness to others, friendship and brotherhood, obedience, thriftiness and cheerfulness.

“The greatest benefit for all members is the inculcation of these values in their lives for their future living, as well, members benefit in skill and vocational training from which they can create jobs for themselves and make money.

Dr Tola Adenekan in Scouting

“Members also benefit from physical development and talent hunt through exposure to sporting activities from which they can develop their passion as professionals.

“The societal benefits include having responsible leaders at community, state and national levels as in the cases of the following notable leaders; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Minister for Finance, Lt. Dr. Onalapo Soleye, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Olufemi Omolade, former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Raji Fasola and many others who exhibited quality leadership in governance for societal benefit.

Dr Adenekan early stage in Scouting

The association also engages in community and social impact projects across communities such as Food for life Project which addresses food security, Messenger of Peace Project which focuses on bringing peace among the populace and World Environmental Project that address the environment and health issues.

atotoDaily reports that Dr Tola Adenekan, as a distinguished Scouter of international education, has continued to motivate young leaders within and outside the Association with the principle of integrity, patriotism, brotherliness and kindness to others.

While still holding tenaciously to the Scouting leadership ethics, Dr. Adenekan has influenced millions of youths from other organisations and the larger society through his professional calling as a journalist and activities in the National Youth Council of Nigeria where he served as a two term chairman of the Ogun State Chapter and National Public Relation officer.

He expressed appreciation to his pioneer Scout Leader, Lt Mr Ganiu Shodeko (Banana).

“I joined the Scout Movement at the Ist Abeokuta Troop in 1979 as a new student of Prestigious Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta under Lt. Mr. Ganiu Shodeko (Banana) as my Scout leader.

“Unfortunately for my colleagues and I, our Scout leader, a senior student of the school passed out and the Troop was left with no leadership.

Logo of The Scout Association of Nigeria

“I therefore took the courage to bring together my fellow scouts in the school and took up the responsibility of a troop leader”, Dr Adenekan reminisced.

For three years, he would attend a weekly training after school hours at an open troop created at St. Anne Primary Church premises, Ibara, Abeokuta and returned to apply the knowledge he gained to teach his colleagues at his school level.

As a result, it was said that a former District Commissioner of the Defunct Abeokuta Scout Local Association, Mr S.O. Ogundipe recommended him to his school principal, Lt Mr F.O. Oridota for sponsorship to attend a week-long Residential Preliminary Training Course for Scout Leaders organized by the Ogun State Scout Council.

“My School Principal approved the recommendation and released funds for me to attend the Course which ran from 20th-27th July 1984 held at Obere, Ota in Ogun State. That was how I began a new journey as a certified Scout Leader in the then Boy Scout of Nigeria (now The Scout Association of Nigeria)”.

Since then, Dr Tola Adenekan has attended many coursed towards building his capacity for quality Scouting knowledge in line with international standard, among which were;

9 Days Woodbadge Practical Scout Training Course at Ikorodu, 1988.

5 Days Assistant Leaders Trainers Course at Lagos State Model College Meiran, Lagos State, 1992.

5 Days Basic Cub Scout leaders, Abeokuta, Ogun State, 1992,

5 Days Leader Trainer Course at Yaba College of Technology Yaba, Lagos State 1994.

7 Days Woodbadge Practical Training for Cub Leaders at Lagos, 1994.

Other Courses attended were:

9 Days Youth Camping/Citizenship and Leadership Training Course at Social Development Training Centre organised by Ogun State Government, 1986.

5 days African Region Training for Scout Trainers at Accra Ghana 2004 & National Trainer Workshop in Lagos and Benin City, 2005 & 2007.

Commenting on the importance of the training in his leadership acumen, Dr Adenekan said, it has provided the needed skill and leverage for his Scouting.

“All these capacity building initiative provided the needed skill and leverage for me to organize and support over 100 Scout camping program including Jamborette, Cubboree, Ramboree, Camporee as well as serving as Instructor, Course Leader and Course Director at Basic, Advance and Leader Trainer Courses across Nigeria.

“I rose through the ranks and served in both Permitted and Warranted positions in the Scout Association of Nigeria.

“I was granted a Permit as a Scout Leader in 1984 and a Warrant in 1987, Group Scout leader 1988, District Scout leader 1990,

“I was warranted Assistant District Commissioner (Training) 1998 and was appointed and warranted District Scout commissioner, Ibara Local Association between 1989-2002 and received a letter of commendation as the Most Outstanding District Commissioner by the then State Commissioner, Dr. Onalapo Soneye.

“I was warranted Provincial Scout Commissioner, Egba Province, 2002 and served as State Training Commissioner, Ogun State between 2003-2007”.

Dr Tola Adenekan’s outstanding contribution to Scouting development got the attention of the National Scout Leadership and was appointed into the National Executive Committee to serve as National Headquarters Commissioner Adult in Scouting and within 1year of his appointment.

He organized 3 Adult-in-Scouting workshops in three zones in Nigeria; Owerri, Imo State for South East, FCT Abuja for North Central and Abeokuta Ogun-State for South West after which he was elevated to serve as the first Asst. Chief Commissioner and Head of Department of Diversity Inclusion and Social Impact thereby combining two of the six strategic priorities of Scouting.

Dr Adenekan, as the Assistant Chief Commissioner and Head of Department of DISI, developed the course content for the training of Scout Leaders in Nigeria for Diversity Inclusion and Social Impact and organised the first 5days DISI course at the Oba Akenzua International Scout Camp Benin City, Edo State, 2014 and same year represented the Scout Association of Nigeria at Accra, Ghana.

He led the Nigeria Contingent to the West African Scout Conference and Youth Forum in Burkina Faso in 2015, and was a member of the Nigerian Contingent to the 21st World Scout Jamboree at Yama Guchi Japan in 2015 as well as the 5th All African Scout Jamboree in Yamasoko Cote d’ voir in 2016.

He served in various committees of the Scout Association of Nigeria:

– Member, 100 years (Centenary) celebration of Scout Association of Nigeria

– Member Nigerian Scouter Magazine Editorial Board for the resuscitation of Hard copy and Online magazine for the NSO

– Member 7-man Global Support Assessment Tool (GSAT) Committee of The Scout Association of Nigeria

– Member Peace& Reconciliation Committee of the Scout Association of Nigeria, 2017-2018 Which mid-wifed a new leadership for the organisation and Chairman Training Award Harmonisation Committee in 2019.

Dr Tola Adenekan also belongs to many civil society organisations such as Center for Grassroot Education Healthcare and Empowerment, Transparency and Accountability Network, Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development and Foundation for the Preservation of Yoruba Culture and Heritage.

atotoDaily reports that the organisation was named Boy Scout by the founder Lord Baden-Powell in 1907 because it was started by only boys but over the years young girls and adult women have signified interest and joined the movement despite the founder forming the girls guide in 1910 which was over seen by his wife Olaf Baden-Powell.

Similarly, in line with the international convention on gender inclusion, many national scout organisations including Nigeria have legalised the inclusion of girls and women in its fold. Hence the name Boy Scout of Nigeria has changed to The Scout Association of Nigeria.