By Asuquo Cletus
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has organised a five-day intensive training programme on public speaking for young participants drawn from the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), as part of efforts to build confidence and strengthen communication skills among youths in the state.
The capacity-building workshop, held in Calabar, was designed to equip budding comperes with essential skills required to speak confidently and effectively before an audience.
The training was facilitated by Uduakikang Obeten Okorn, Director of News and Current Affairs at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC), who served as the resource person for the programme.
Speaking during the sessions, Okorn described public speaking as an important life skill that can be learned and improved with training and regular practice. She noted that many individuals experience anxiety symptoms such as palpitations, cold shivers, weak limbs and stuttering when asked to address an audience.
According to her, structured training and continuous practice help speakers overcome these fears and communicate their ideas clearly and confidently.
“Public speaking is not about perfection but authenticity and connection,” she said, adding that effective communication enables individuals to influence society positively and share transformative ideas.
The training focused on key aspects of public speaking including confidence building, audience engagement, speech structure, storytelling and stage presence.
Participants were also exposed to practical applications such as compering events, delivering wedding toasts and eulogies, participating in debates, presenting business proposals, delivering lectures and keynote addresses as well as sermons.
Also speaking at the event, the International Mother and National Coordinator of BCS IMOCAMBO, Grace-Magdalene Arikpo, urged participants to take the training seriously and apply the knowledge gained in their daily engagements.
She described effective communication as a powerful tool for service to humanity and encouraged the trainees to use their voices responsibly to inspire positive change in society.
Arikpo also expressed appreciation to the spiritual leader of the organisation, Olumba Olumba Obu, for giving her the opportunity to sponsor the participants for the training.
The Chairman of the NUJ Cross River State Council, Archibong Bassey, said the initiative formed part of the union’s commitment to youth development and communication excellence.
According to her empowering young people with strong public speaking skills will enhance leadership capacity, civic participation and community development.
Participants expressed appreciation to the NUJ and the facilitator for the opportunity, describing the training as timely and impactful.
The event concluded with prayers and blessings from Obu, who encouraged the participants to utilise the knowledge acquired for the advancement of humanity.
Certificates of participation were also presented to the trainees to mark the successful completion of the programme.
