Monday, 5 June 2017

BOYS’ BRIGADE NIGERIA, KANO STATE COUNCIL BASIC OFFICERS TRAINING COURSE, A CONCISE LECTURE NOTE BY VICTOR BAKO ON: PROGRAM PLANNING IN THE JUNIOR SECTION.



Introduction
For any organization to succeed in achieving its goals; there must be a planned schedule of events within a particular period. The Boys’ Brigade emphasizes on program planning because it is a strategy that is put in place in order to encourage strict discipline to worship and to also maximize the potentials in the Boy.  The junior section Boys program must be designed to suit their age group as well as their psychology.
Program: The dictionary defines it as a plan or schedule of activities, procedures, etc., to be followed[1]. It is also a well designed course of action or the activities that are to be carried out in the company.
Planning: is to arrange a method or scheme beforehand, it is also referred to as determining the course of action in the company over a specified period of time.
Understanding the psychology of the junior section Boy
The junior section Boys are usually Boys between age 8 to 11, knowing their behaviours will help in determining the type of program to be designed for them. Attah D.D[2] described the behaviours of the junior section Boys as follows they have the following behaviours:
i)                    Abstract ideas-He begins to understand some abstract concepts. E.g. he begins to understand the extended family arrangement; he knows that his mum is someone’s daughter, begins to understand what religion is all about etc.
ii)                  His self-centeredness/egocentrism begins to reduce, he begins to show care and love for others. E.g. he could gladly give you something he is eating.
iii)                Problem solving skills-his problem solving skills and logic improves (he begins to keep close friends and begins to socialize with them).
iv)                Relatively controlled emotions-at this stage he begins to verbalize his emotions rather than act them.
v)                  Slightly improved concentration-he is enthusiastic but still lacks sufficient ability to concentrate on one thing for a long time.
vi)                Restlessness-­he has limitless energy to dispense which he must dispense, that makes him restless.
The four cardinal points in junior section program planning
Junior section program planning in the Boys Brigade should cover the four cardinal points of the BB which are the spiritual, physical, social and educational aspects just as the  boy Jesus increase in wisdom (educational development) and stature(physical development), and in favour with God(spiritual development) and men Luke 2:52[3] (social development). The junior section program planning method depicts the character of boy Jesus.
Factors to be considered in planning junior section program
i)                    The philosophy of the organization: the object and mission, vision and goals of the organization should be considered.
ii)                  The age factor: the planner need to realize the caliber of people he is dealing with and plan the program that will suit their age in order to facilitate understanding and enthusiasm.
iii)                The environment: It is a very important factor to be considered.  The following questions must be answered before planning the program:
a.       Is it a rural or an urban area?
b.      What program suits the Boys in my area?
c.       Will the Boys be exposed to danger?
iv)                Availability of qualified resource persons: teaching the Boy of a junior section requires a qualified instructor that will be able to manage their emotions and influence it in the positive way.
v)                  Teaching aids: Make available materials needed for illustration purpose, the Boys in this age grouping are curious and illustrations captures their attention most, try in as much as possible to make use of pictures, colors etc in the junior section program.
Who is to plan the junior section program
Planning the program of the company is the responsibility of the captain and his officers subject to approval by the chaplain (the spiritual head of the local assembly). The program of the junior section Boys should be between 15-30mins because their heads cannot carry much, the more time the program consumes the more they lose concentration.
Types of program
Any of the following types of program could be adopted depending on the arrangement of the leadership and constructive reasons behind choosing any of the types mentioned below:
a)      Daily program: Program planned the same day it is executed.
b)      Weekly program: program planned to be covered throughout the week.
c)      Monthly program: program planned to cover one month
d)     Quarterly program: program planned to be covered within three months
e)      Annual program: program planned to be covered within a year or within 12 months.

Program evaluation
Program planned should be evaluated after the execution in order to examine whether or not the philosophy of the organization has been achieved, “officers can also evaluate programme by their personal observation and reasoning on the boys’s impression”[4]. Evaluation of an executed program helps in determining the success of the next line of program.


[1] Online dictionary retrieved from: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/program
[2]  Attah D. D (2011) the Boy; of the Boys’ Brigade the officers’ companion. 2nd edition Birnin Kebbi, Oiza clear Digital Printing Press.

[3] The Holy Bible (New King James version)
[4]Attah D. D (2011) the Boy; of the Boys’ Brigade the officers’ companion. 2nd edition Birnin Kebbi, Oiza clear Digital Printing Press.

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Monday, 20 February 2017

A CONCISE LECTURE NOTE ON: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE BOYS’ BRIGADE.




THE BOYS’ BRIGADE NIGERIA, KADUNA STATE COUNCIL (NORTHERN ZONE)
 KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
A CONCISE LECTURE NOTE ON: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE BOYS’ BRIGADE.

By

VICTOR BAKO

          Introduction
The view or outlook regarding fundamental principles underlying some domain is referred to as philosophy.
Philosophy of the Boys’ Brigade refers to how the organization’s image is projected to the wider world. It is the way Boys’ Brigade as an organization set itself to be seen by the people.
    The philosophy of the Boys’ Brigade would be seen in its mission, target and vision or goal and as discussed below:
1.     The mission of the Boys’ Brigade
       Mission by definition is set of tasks that fulfill a purpose or duty.
The Boys’ Brigade as an organization has a mission. This mission could be seen in the object of the Boys’ Brigade which is the ‘Advancement of Christ’s Kingdom’.
               When Christ’s kingdom is advanced among Boys, they would not remain the same as they were but some certain changes would be seen in them. These changes are towards a positive course. These positive changes that are seen in the Boy are referred to as the vision of the Boys’ Brigade as would be discussed in the next page.
2.     The Target of the Boys’ Brigade
The target of the Boys’ Brigade is ‘Among Boys’’ this is aimed at evangelism to the Boy, as well as using him as a point of contact to the youth as well as the elderly. It is important to note that the child evangelism in the Brigade is not just for the child but it is a strategic way of communicating the good news of Christ, first of all to the Boy; and to all men.


3.     The vision of the Boys’ Brigade
          Vision can be defined as an ideal or a goal towards which one aspires. Or a result one is attempting to achieve. The vision/goal of the Boys’ Brigade is to make Boys “have a complete character and moral development; to develop in the Boy three great qualities of ‘reverence, discipline and self-respect, thus:
-with the habit of reverence, the Boy will develop the sense of constant awareness of the presence and the fear of God his creator.
-the habit of discipline makes up a truly responsible and reliable man. To become successful, discipline and indispensible.
-the habit of discipline also trains the mind to have self-control and self-respect.
The program and activities of the (BB) are based strongly towards achieving these principles. At the end of it all it is hoped that the Boy would:
-grow into a moral healthy man and a loyal disciple of Jesus Christ,
-be prepared to render selfless service to the church by being a faithful member of the church, and
-be responsible to himself and to his society”.[1]
The image of the Boys’ Brigade is projected in a way that members and non-members of the organization aspire to promote because it is based on integrity, fairness, commitment and love. The top story of the Daily Times Newspaper captured the statement of the governor of Oyo State Abiola Ajimobi who “charged Nigerians to imbibe the doctrine and philosophy of the Boys’ Brigade which are centered on service, integrity and commitment for the society to be a good place to live.”[2]
The three principles (mission, target and goal) have been summarized in the BB slogan; ‘the twin pillar of the BB’ (i.e. Religion and Discipline). Religion is hoped to be achieved through the BB’s mission and target, while discipline through its goal.[3] As officers of the Boys’ Brigade we are expected to build up a good image of the organization by promoting the twin pillar of the Boys’ Brigade


[1] Attah D.D (2011). The Boy of the Boys’ Brigade; Officers Companion. Anchor Publishing; Ahmadu Bello Way, Zuru. Kebbi State, Nigeria. Pp. 1-3.
[3] Attah D.D (2011) p3.         

for any concern email me on: bakovictor1@gmail.com or contact me on: +2348099449450