The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, has organized a five-day intensive training programme on Public Speaking for young participants drawn from the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS).
The capacity-building workshop, was designed to equip budding comperes with essential communication skills required to speak confidently and effectively in public.
The training was facilitated by Uduakikang Obeten Okorn, Director of News and Current Affairs at the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC), Calabar, who served as the resource person.
Speaking during the sessions, Okorn described public speaking as a vital life skill that can be learned and improved upon. She noted that many individuals experience anxiety symptoms such as palpitations, cold shivers, weak limbs and stuttering when called upon to address an audience. According to him, structured training and consistent practice can help participants overcome these inhibitions.
“Public speaking is not about perfection but authenticity and connection,” she emphasized, drawing from the works of renowned communication experts including Dale Carnegie, Gary Vaynerchuk, Dananjaya Hettiarachchi, Chris Anderson, Nancy Duarte and Amy Cuddy.
The programme explored key aspects of public speaking, including confidence building, audience engagement, speech structure, storytelling, and stage presence. Participants were exposed to practical applications such as compering events, delivering wedding toasts and eulogies, participating in debates, presenting business proposals, giving lectures, keynote addresses and sermons.
Okorn stressed that effective public speaking remains central to societal development, noting that many transformative ideas in history gained momentum through persuasive and impactful communication. She advised participants to shift focus from personal fears to audience needs, urging them to “stand tall, occupy your space, and speak with conviction while remaining humble.”
Also speaking, Her Eminence Grace- Magdalene Arikpo the International Mother and National coordinator, BCS IMOCAMBO encouraged the participants to take the training seriously and apply the knowledge gained in their daily engagements. She noted that effective communication is a powerful tool for service to humanity and urged the trainees to use their voices responsibly to inspire positive change in society. She also Appreciated the holy father Olumba Olumba Obu for giving her the opportunity to sponsor his children
The NUJ Cross River State Council Chairman, Comrade Archibong Bassey described the initiative as part of its commitment to youth development and communication excellence, adding that empowering young voices with strong public speaking skills will enhance leadership, civic engagement and community development.
Participants expressed appreciation to the NUJ and the resource person for the opportunity, describing the training as timely and transformative.
The event concluded with blessings from His Holiness, Olumba Olumba Obu, spiritual leader of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, who prayed for the participants and encouraged them to utilize the knowledge gained for the advancement of humanity. Certificates of participation were also presented to the trainees by His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu to mark the successful completion of the programme.
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