In a room filled with student and professional speechmakers of different ages, Lagos joined the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s World Speech Day with the theme World Citizenship – Time For A New Way
Over the course of more than three hours, speakers, who were also made up of finalists from the first National Youth Speaking and Leadership (NYSL) on public speaking held last year, walked to the front of the hall in Ikeja and chose to either stand behind the podium or walk in front of it while holding a microphone with oratory performances typically seen during a competitive, or academic tournament.
Convener of the event, since 2015, Florence Olumodimu said this year’s event which held on March 15th was designed to celebrate the power of the internet in the last 30 years and how it has help individuals around the world find their voice.
“World Speech Day is a day dedicated to celebrating speeches and speech making, through a multitude of live speaking events across the globe. Today we carry out more conversations online while having less and less human interactions, it is easier to connect with and engage governments and our political leaders. We can make our voices heard. We are the catalyst for change. I for one am proud to be an advocate for women and youth development and empowerment.”
She added that everyone has ideas and everyone can have a voice, the internet is a great place to start a conversation that can change the world positively.
“We cannot run away from the realities that economic inequalities, natural disasters, wars and other unforeseen circumstances widen further the economic, political and social divide amongst nations, the question of closing or opening borders especially those of more economically strong nations is one that must be discussed and tackled. No need hiding our heads in the sand as mass migration to more economically and stable nations are on the increase. Today’s world activism and advocacy is now a currency that more people are involved in and creating awareness for issues close to their hearts and of importance to their communities and humanity, and the internet is a great place to get the world to hear you.”
Olumodimu a social entrepreneur and founder of Life Developer Network, who is also a distinguished Toastmaster, added that her passion for communication and leadership is the force the yearly celebration.
“I believe we must have the conversation about the world becoming borderless and having world citizens! The world has truly changed significantly in the last 30 – 50 years, and we must be ready to change our behaviours and attitudes for a better tomorrow for all citizens of the world and it only start with a single click.”
Jonathan Aderoju
