NISSMUN 2009…AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.
On the 24th of October, 2009, thirteen student delegates from
Preston International School set out to Abuja for the Nigeria International
Secondary Schools Model United Nations Conference, 2009. The theme of this
year’s conference is ‘Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration’. The
excitement of our delegates was very palpable from the endless research and
preparation they made before the conference to the determined tilt to their
chins as we drove through the gates of the International Conference Centre in
Abuja. There was a lot of activity in the air as hundreds of students from
other schools who had only just arrived too, tried to complete their
registration formalities. In no time, our ever charismatic and courageous
delegates commanded attention from other delegates as they confidently went
around the hall making acquaintances of other delegates and exchanging
pleasantries here and there. Wasn’t I impressed! But of course, this is one
of the goals of the Model United Nations; encouraging good relations amongst
Nigerian secondary school students and providing an atmosphere where they can
communicate freely. Trust Prestonians never to let an opportunity to make an
impact slip! We later had a very wonderful night at the Brifina Hotel.
The next few days of the conference will always be indelible in our memories.
There was the very first formal gathering of the over one thousand delegates
from about eighty two International secondary Schools in Nigeria for the
Memorial service in honour of victims of human trafficking. I watched in
enraptured interest as young students, dressed in corporate outfits discussed
adult stuff! One of the most fascinating parts of the conference was the
committee seating and perhaps the elections into various positions.
Ambassador Joda Olufela emerged as one of the best students during the
qualifying exams for the post of chairperson of the Security Council. On the
third day, I was all the more enthralled to see ambassadors of different
countries who left their various embassies grace the occasion. Some student
delegates were selected to visit various embassies in Nigeria. Again, our
delegates from Preston, Ambassador Oladipo Tundun and Ambassador Adesanya Peju
were selected to visit their designated countries, Spain and Angola,
respectively.
Perhaps the final days of the NISSMUN conference were the most exciting. There was the visit of the First Lady of the Federation, Hajiya Turai Yaradua on the 27th of October. She spoke to delegates about the danger of Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration and encouraged them to believe in Nigeria. Later that night, there was the World Cultural Night that saw over a thousand students all adorned in glamorous and breath taking cultural attires, outstanding cultural dances and presentations that knocked us off completely. On the last day of the conference, there was the Award Night/ Closing Dinner. It was simply awesome to watch the excitement of delegates from different schools as they celebrated the success of the conference and the dawn of a new generation of Nigerian youths who have chosen dialogue instead of violence; youths who have chosen to be active participants in the future of our world instead of passive victims. Needless to say, our delegates enjoyed the conference tremendously, but more importantly, the conference changed them inside out. Even now, they are still basking in the after effect of the NISSMUN conference as they are at the moment doing amazing things in the United Nations Model Club that has just started off at Preston.
REPORT BY MISS GIFTY SIYAKA (H.O.D. LANGUAGES, UN CLUB COORDINATOR)
Abuja was very
interesting experience for me. During the first two days of the conference,
everyone was busy trying to interact with others and make new friends amongst
other delegates. I particularly found the committee sessions very interesting
and interactive as every delegate tried to prove his or her point in any way
possible. For people like me, it was a good opportunity to develop my
communication skills. Another event I found very special was the visit of the
First Lady. She was delighted to be with us and she gave special recognition
to all female delegates present at the conference. Other events like the visit
to various embassies, the world cultural night and the awards dinner were also
very interesting. It was indeed a very great experience for me.
Ambassador Ekpekurude Havilah
Delegate representing U.S.A
On the 24th of October, 2009, I was privileged to be one of the thirteen
student delegates from Preston who set out on the journey to the 2009 NISSMUN
conference in Abuja. During committee sessions, every one looked up to me as a
man of substance and respect. According to one of the delegates, Chibuzor; I
talked like a father and he even gave my name to one of the directors as the
most vibrant person in the committee. Whenever people said I talked a lot, I
told them that there wasn’t any room for a quiet person in
a conference like NISSMUN. You have to give your opinion about something! Delegates from Preston
International School always performed well during committee sessions. I learnt
a lot of skills in diplomacy and public speaking and I also made a lot of new
friends. Miss Gifty was also a very supporting staff and in all, though it was
our very first time at the conference, delegates from Preston still stood out.
Ambassador Onifade Oreoluwa
Delegate representing Ghana.
The journey to Abuja was an interesting one and on our way, we all discussed
the task ahead. The committee sessions were all very educative and
interactive. On Monday 26th October, there was a General Assembly committee
session and a special Interactive Session (SIS). We then had the honour of
receiving ambassador of countries like Sweden, Switzerland, the United States
in our midst. In my opinion, Tuesday 27th October was the most eventful day as
I was privileged to visit the Angolan embassy. Furthermore, we were also
honoured by the presence of Hajiya (Dr) Tura Yaradua who shared her point of
view concerning Human trafficking and Illegal Migration. We later had the
World Cultural Night during which we saw a lot of wonderful presentations. I
learnt a lot during the conference and we have already started to put this
knowledge in practice right now in our own Model United Nations Club here at
Preston.
Ambassador Adesanya Peju
Delegate representing Angola.
When we got the venue of the conference at the International conference centre
in Abuja, we immediately commenced our registration and afterwards, we went
around to introduce ourselves to delegates from other schools. During the
official opening ceremony of the conference, we were delighted to have the
first Lady, ambassadors of different countries and other important
dignitaries. In my committee, our agenda was ‘Ways of combating Illegal
Migration’ and we discussed the meaning, causes, methods and causes of illegal
migration. The world cultural night was really interesting. Delegates turned
out in various traditional attires and there were amazing presentations. On
the final day, we had concluding sessions of the committees and in my
committee, we discussed resolutions to illegal migration. We then elected the
Secretary-general for the NISSMUN 2010 conference. Later that night, we had
the closing dinner which was very superb. A break-dancer known as African
Michael Jackson entertained us. There were also other equally wonderful
presentations. I think the NISSMUN conference was nice, enlightening and
educative.
Ambassador Akindolire David
Delegate representing Norway.
The 2009 NISSMUN conference was a very interesting one. The first formal
gathering of the delegates was during the denominational service on Sunday
held in remembrance of victims of Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration.
After the service, we had a preparatory lecture on the rules of procedure. On
Monday, we were pleased to receive ministers, ambassadors and other
dignitaries who all gave their goodwill messages. We were also very delighted
to receive the First lady of Nigeria and the NAPTIP board of management. There
were also several camera men and Television stations who came to cover the
event. She advised delegates like her children and prayed for us. This year’s
conference was really interesting and we look forward to being at the NISSMUN
conference next year.
Ambassador Oyewole Layomi
Delegate representing Uganda.
When we got to Abuja, I was very amazed at the number of different schools
attending the conference also. The committee sessions were very interesting
and I really found the First lady’s speech to the delegates very touching
because it was gender sensitive. One of the most interesting events was the
cultural night during which we were entertained by by comedians, dancers etc.
I really enjoyed the conference and I look forward to being there again next
year.
Ambassador Ibitokun David
Delegate representing
On arrival at the conference centre on the first day, we went through
registration formalities and on the following day, we had the 5th anniversary
inter-denominational service in remembrance of human trafficking and illegal
migration. After the service, there were elections for the position of
chairpersons and rappoteurs for all 17 committees. At the Brifina Hotel where
we lodged, the delegates of Preston usually had a kind of family gathering
with the accompanying staff during which we discussed the events of each day.
In all, we all enjoyed our stay in Abuja.
Ambassador Awani Yemi
Delegate representing Poland.
I am glad that I attended the NISSMUN 2009 conference in Abuja. As an an
ambassador representing Japan, I learnt a lot. There were elections into
various positions and committee sessions that I really found very interesting.
My committee’s agenda was ‘Health Consequences of human trafficking’ and I
contributed a lot during the deliberations and debates. This really helped me
in my public speaking and communication skills. Tuesday 27th of October
happened to be one of my happiest days because apart from being my birthday,
the First lady of Nigeria also visited us at the conference centre that day.
On the awards/dinner night, we had fun and interacted with a lot of delegates
from other schools. It was a very wonderful experience for me and I look
forward to being there again next year.
Ambassador Tayo Ahmed
Delegate representing Japan.
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