On a bright Thursday morning at Gamesland in Lekki, the air was filled with the palpable hope for a generation’s future. Debra’s Palace Initiative’s inaugural “Rep Your Club Experience” event on August 21st was a confluence of fun, mentorship, candid conversation, and community building, all centered on a critical mission: redefining the narrative for the Nigerian boy child.
The event successfully blended physical activity with profound panel discussions, creating a safe and engaging space for young boys to learn, compete, and be inspired by a roster of accomplished male role models.
The Pitch: Where Teamwork and Tenacity Were Forged
The day kicked off with energetic warm-up sessions led by the games master Uncle Sele, setting a vibrant tone for the activities ahead. Our esteemed compère, Mr. David Adetola, officially opened the event, framing the day’s importance. “There is a critical need for change in the dynamic of how we interact with our young boys,” he stated in his opening speech.
Following the welcome address and prayer led by Mr. Chris, our Executive Director, Mrs. Damilola Odiye Chinedu, took the stage to expresse her deep gratitude to the guests, speakers, and captains, emphasizing that the heart of this gathering was the essential and often overlooked “boy child conversation.”
A group photo of the four team captains and their young team members. Mr. Femi Dapson (Man Utd), Mr. Solomon Ayodele (Chelsea), Mr. Yemi Kings (Barcelona), and Mr. Tayo Adetunji (Arsenal) with their squad.
The competitive spirit was ignited as four team captains, each representing a footballing giant, presented their manifestos to their eager teams:
1. Team Arsenal: Captained by **Mr. Tayo Adetunji
2. Team Barcelona: Captained by **Mr. Yemi Kings
3. Team Chelsea: Captained by Mr. Solomon Ayodele
4. Team Manchester United: Captained by Mr. Femi Dapson
Under the expert guidance of Mr. Adamu of Gamesland, the boys engaged in a series of thrilling and strategic games such as The Ring Jump, X and O, Penalty shot and Tunnel Ball. Scores were meticulously collated by Mr. Chris, building anticipation for the final announcement.
The Panel Discussion: “The Boy I Was, The Man I Did Not Become”
The games provided the fun, but the panel session provided the foundation of the essence of the gathering.
Moderated with great insight by Mr. Tayo Adetunji, the discussion featured a panel dedicated to raw, honest storytelling.
Key Insights from the Discussion:
1. On Failure & Resilience: Mr. Damilola Abiodun (Canon) reframed failure as a necessary teacher, urging the boys to look inward and be true to themselves. His powerful affirmation for them: “No matter how many times I fail, I am going to succeed.
2. On Purpose: Mr. Solomon Ayodele (Wema Bank) shared his journey from a challenging childhood to a purpose-driven life in innovation. He delivered a powerful maxim: “The knowledge of purpose is the only antidote to destroy mismanagement,” and reiterated his deep commitment to boy-child advocacy.
3. On Decisions & Deliberate Living: Mr. Yemi Kings (Yemi Kings Media Services) was unequivocal: “You are a sum total of the decisions you make with whatever life throws at you.” He encouraged the boys to be deliberate and to never let academic or other setbacks deter them from their passion.
4. On Integrity & Education: Mr. K. tackled the pressing question, “Is education a scam?” head-on, asserting that it is not and that “it pays to go to school.” He emphasized that failure does not determine your future, but the actions you take after failure do, and stressed the non-negotiable value of integrity.
A particularly crucial segment was the discussion on sexual discipline. Mr. Yemi Kings spoke with clarity and vulnerability about the male anatomy, relationships, and the importance of timing. His advice was direct and vital: “Do not sacrifice your future on the altar of sex; it is worth the wait.”
Additional wisdom was offered by Mr. Lanre of Gamesland, who shared his inspiring grass-to-grace story, advising the boys to focus on their own paths amidst societal noise. The discussions also covered essential topics like wealth management, financial literacy, and the importance of finding mentors.
As the day drew to a close, the final game scores were announced. After a fierce and friendly competition, the results were tallied.
Final Standings:
1. Champions: Team Manchester United (awarded the mini Ballon d’Or by Mr. Chinedu)
2. 2nd Place: Team Arsenal
3. Joint 3rd Place: Teams Chelsea and Barcelona
Mr. Tayo Adetunji commended Mrs. Damilola Chinedu for her visionary leadership in orchestrating this vital event. David Adetola left the boys with a final thought on understanding family patterns and tracing their own identities.
Mrs. Chinedu gave a heartfelt closing remark, expressing her joy at the day’s success and providing an exciting glimpse into the initiative’s future the Creative Summer School Program, scheduled to launch in September.
A Heartfelt Note of Gratitude
An event of this magnitude is only possible through the collective effort of a dedicated community. Debra’s Palace Initiative extends its deepest and most sincere appreciation:
• To Our Wisdom Sharers: Our incredible panelists and moderators: Mr. Tayo Adetunji, Mr. Damilola Abiodun, Mr. Yemi Kings, Mr. Solomon Ayodele, and Mr. K. Thank you for your vulnerability, wisdom, and for lighting a path for our boys to follow. Your stories are their compass.
• To Our Champions on the Field: Our dynamic team captains: Mr. Femi Dapson, Mr. Yemi Kings, Mr. Solomon Ayodele, and Mr. Tayo Adetunji. Your leadership, passion, and mentorship brought the games to life and inspired your teams.
• To Our Venue Partners: A special thanks to Mr. Lanre, Mr. Adamu and the entire Gamesland team. Thank you for being exceptional hosts, guides, and partners in this mission. Your support was invaluable.
• To The Backbone of the Event: To Mr. David Adetola for expertly and gracefully guiding the event’s flow. To Mr. Chris for his diligent scorekeeping and spiritual guidance. To Uncle Sele for energizing our boys and being an amazing Games master.
• To Our Support System: To every volunteer, parent, and guardian who trusted us with their time and their children. Your belief in our mission fuels our drive.
• And Finally, To Our Why: To the remarkable young boys who participated with open hearts, competitive spirits, and inquisitive minds. You are the reason we do this work. Your engagement and curiosity inspire us to keep pushing for a brighter future for you all.
This is not an end, but a powerful beginning. Together, we are building palaces of promise, one boy at a time.
With immense gratitude,
The Team at Debra’s Palace Initiative
Stay Connected With Us:
Website: www.debraspalace.org
Email: debraspalaceinitiative@gmail.com
Social Media: @DebrasPalaceInitiative
Dedicated to nurturing, educating, and empowering the vulnerable boy-child for a better future.
