31st July, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
The Chief Commissioner of Scout in Nigeria, Chief Soga Sofolahan has described Nigeria participation at this year World Scout Jamboree currently going on in Yamaguchi Kirara, Japan as historical and part of the change process that will bring about a desired impact on the youth development sector in Nigeria.
Sofolahan, who led 39 others to the 23rd world event posited that the quadrennial event is a unique opportunity for scouts to be a global citizen and experience scouting as a worldwide movement for youth.
This was contained in a statement forwarded to our correspondent Thursday afternoon in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
One hundred and fifty countries across the world with 34,000 scouts are participating in the event in far away Japan.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the Chairperson, World Scout Committee, Joao Armando G. noted that scouting is an educational movement that engages young people from all over the world to promote unity, respect, friendship, understanding and VH peace.
The camp Chief of the Jamboree, Takayasu Okushima on his part disclosed that the World Scout Jamboree project tagged “Operation Kirara” has provided support for 480 scouts from 90 countries to attend the jamboree and appreciated all participating countries for making it to Japan.
Speaking with our correspondent on phone from Japan, a member of the Nigeria Contingent Management Team, Apostle Tola Adenekan JP explained that the participants in the next 12 days will engage in cultural diversity and religious activities, high adventure programmed including water, rock and cycling, community service and display of scout skill.
This year World Scout Jamboree has the largest contingents of 34,000 scouts.
The first jamboree, according to the statement, was held in London in 1920 with 8,000 scouts from 34 countries while United States of America, USA will host the next jamboree in 2019 with South Korea playing host to the world during the 2023 edition.