Brain Awareness Week Report
Health Action Concerning The Environment and You (HACEY) commemorated her 1st Brain Awareness Week by holding a series of lectures and PowerPoint presentations. The Week was organized to commemorate the International Brain Awareness Week which ran from the 15th to the 21st of March, 2010. The theme for the week was ‘Your Brain, Your Power’. The awareness targeted secondary school students in the Ilorin metropolis and the University of Ilorin. The awareness was supported by the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) Brain Awareness Award. The Award was granted to Dr. L.A. Olatunji, the C.E.O of HACEY and also a lecturer in the department of Physiology in the University of Ilorin. The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives also supported the programme with over 2000 printed promotional and resource materials.
The events were organised to enlighten people about their brain and the various functions of their brain. It encouraged participants to engage in activities that stimulate and develop their brain and to avoid drug use, which could harm their brain. Dr. L.A. Olatunji coordinated the programmes for the week. Prior to the commencement of the programme, he trained a group of young energetic undergraduate students of the University of Ilorin who are also HACEY members as resource persons for the program.
On the 15th of March, the first day of the week-long event, two teams of resource persons comprising members of HACEY visited Sheik Abdul-Kadri College and the Junior Secondary School section of Queen Elizabeth College both in the Ilorin metropolis. At Queen Elizabeth College, they were well-received by the principal and students of the school. They had an interactive session with the students numbering over 500. They discussed the different parts of the brain and their function, and how to keep the brain active, even in old age. They also talked about the dangers of substance abuse. Questions were asked by the students of the school which the team satisfactorily addressed. They encouraged the students to believe in themselves and trust in their ability to solve any problem through active use of their brains. The principal thanked them after the lecture. She also asked them to arrange a similar session for the senior secondary session of Queen’s School.
Sheik Abdul-Kadri College was visited by another team of HACEY volunteers. They arrived at the school at about 7:45 am on that day. They addressed an assembly of the school students numbering over 700 and teachers of the school. Although they talked about the different parts of the brain, the major thrust of their talk was how to keep the brain productive. They encouraged the students to engage in mentally stimulating conversations, be very inquisitive and avoid hard drugs such as marijuana and cocaine as these will negatively impact on their brain. They also talked about how to keep the brain young. At the end of their talk, a question and answer session followed during which both staff and students had the opportunity to ask questions. The principal also gave closing remarks, urging the students to make full use of everything they had learned from the talk.
On the second day of the Brain Awareness week program, a lecture was organised by HACEY in the University of Ilorin. Dr Olatunji gave the lecture to a group of students who gathered for the lecture at the Postgraduate Seminar Room. He discussed extensively on the parts of the brain and their functions. He also shared with tips on how to improve brain function, encouraging mental activity and physical activity as the key to keeping the brain active. Models were used during the lecture to show the various parts of the brain. The speaker also spoke on drugs and their various effects on parts of the brain and body. He counselled the students to avoid drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. He also talked about the effects alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking could have on their brain. At the end, he encouraged the participants to ask questions which he answered.
Wednesday, the 17th of March was the third day of the brain awareness week event. Initially, HACEY had planned to hold an event on that day with the theme ‘How to Keep Your Brain Creative’ but the program could not hold as The College of Health Sciences of the University of Ilorin also scheduled an event for that day in the African Hall, the proposed venue of the event. Most of the secondary schools invited for the program had examinations on that day and so could not also attend. Nevertheless, members of HACEY visited Kinsey Academy, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Adewole and the Senior Secondary section of Queen Elizabeth College. At Kinsey Academy, HACEY was warmly received. They held an interactive session during which the speakers asked students about the brain to view their current knowledge. Working on this, they sought to expand the students’ knowledge of the parts of the brain and their function. They also spoke on how the students can improve themselves, encouraging them to engage their minds by reading, not only their school books, but also motivational books and other kinds of books. They also advised them to shun the use of hard drugs, alcohol and cigarettes as theses have detrimental effects not only on their health, but also on their brains.
GDSS, Adewole has a student body of over 1000 members. Here, the HACEY team members addressed a general gathering of the school about the brain. They held an interactive session which involved the use of models to illustrate various parts of the human brain. The students were encouraged to engage their brains more when faced with situations around them instead of resorting to negativity. They were also advised to avoid the use of drugs and alcohol as these inhibit brain activity.
At the Senior Secondary section of Queen Elizabeth School, the team also had an interactive session with the students. They stressed that having a positive self image was key to proper brain function. They also advised the students to avoid drug abuse, especially common drugs such as pain relievers, sedatives and alcohol.
The 19th of Friday was the 4th day of the HACEY event. St. Anthony’s Secondary School, with a student population of over 800 students and Government Secondary School, Odo-Okun were visited. At St. Anthony’s Secondary School, a lecture was held on the functions of the brain and how to improve memory, in line with the theme of the week-long program. They also encouraged the students to concentrate more on activities which they had a natural flair for as this means that their brains are better suited to these activities and to also work to improve in the ones they are not so good at.
At Odo-Okun Secondary School, HACEY addressed a student population of over 1,300 students. They had an interesting interactive session during which they spoke about the parts of the brain using brain models to illustrate the parts. They also spoke to the students on how they can improve their performance in school as well as their mental activities. Students asked questions after the talk which the speakers answered satisfactorily.
On that Friday, Dr. Olatunji also held a lecture at which PowerPoint presentations were used. Over 250 students attended the lecture which was held at the Physiology Laboratory of the University of Ilorin. Models were also used during the lecture.
The last school visited by HACEY as part of the Brain Awareness Week was the Kwara State College of Education (KWACOED) Model Secondary School at which they spoke to over 500 students about the brain, its functions and how to improve it. They admonished the students that their brain is their wealth, that even after they might have lost everything they own, they will still have their knowledge and an can get whatever they want.
Over 3000 students were reached during the program. The printed materials received from the DANA Alliance for Brain Initiatives were also distributed at the schools visited by HACEY. from The HACEY team which served as resource persons for the program composed of members from the University of Ilorin chapter. They included Ms A. Ogunbote, the President, Ms A. Zakariyau, the Monitoring and Evaluation Director, Mr T. Olaniyan, the Vice-President, Mr D. Adewoye, the Research Director, Mr E. Ogunmola, the Public Relations Director, Mr H. Oloriegbe, the Secondary School Project Director and Ms A. Lebile, the Financial Secretary. Others who also participated as resource persons included Ms W. Oyegoke, Ms O. Sanyaolu, Ms O. Subair, Ms A. Agboluaje, Mr E. Adeyeye, Mr F. Adejare, Ms O. Agbede, Mr J. Irekpita, and Ms M. Ibiyemi.
COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS
I really thank HACEY for coming to give this kind of talk in our school. It has taught me to know that with my brain, I can do anything in the world.
-Bolu, S.S.2, GDSS
I’ve always been fascinated about the brain. This talk has taught me about my brain and how to make sure I don’t damage it.
-Mark, S.S.1, KWACOED
Everybody needs to know the dangers substance abuse can have on their brain. This talk has enlightened many people. Kudos to HACEY for such a wonderful program.
-Bisi, 300 Level, University of Ilorin
Brain power and not muscle power is the key to advancement. I think more programs like this should be held in developing countries targeting the younger generation to encourage them that they can achieve their dreams by constructively using their brains instead of engaging in vices.
-Kamal, 400 Level, University of Ilorin
PICTURES FROM THE WEEK
|
Dr. L.A. Olatunji trained a group of young energetic persons as resource persons for the Brain Awareness Week |
|
Mr Oloriegbe discussing on how drug abuse affects brain function |
|
At the Junior Secondary Section of Queen's School, Mr Olaniyan discussed on how to keep the brain active |
Ms Zakariya at Queen's College explaining on how drugs fool the brain |
Ms Agboluaje encouraged the students of Queen the students of Queen's College to always believe in themselves |
|
At GDSS, Adewole, students asked questions which were satisfactorily answered by the resource persons |
The Resource persons explaining on brain function using models at GDSS, Adewole |
Resource persons with some students of GDSS, Adewole after the lecture |
|
Mr Adejare describing parts of the brain to students of Odo-Okun Secondary School using a brain model |
Ms Sanyaolu admonished the students of Odo-Okun Secondary School to say no to drugs |
Brain models were used to show parts of the brain during the week-long event |
|
Dr Olatunji explaining how drugs affect different parts of the brain |
The students of the University of Ilorin listened with rapt attentiona as Dr Olatunji shared with them on how to keep their brains active |
Dr. Olatunji talked extensively on how parts of the brain function together during the Brain Awareness Week lecture |
|
Over 250 students were present at the lecture Dr Olatunji organisd to commemorate the brain awareness week |
At KWACOED, Mr Adeyeye talked on how the students can improve their brain function |
A Cross-Section of Students of KWACOED |
|
Dr. Olatunji with a cross-section of Resource persons |
The Brain Awareness Week was also supported with over 2000 printed promotional and resource material from the DANA Alliance of Brain Initiative |
|
