The Scout Association of Nigeria

The The Scout Association of Nigeria (SAN) is the national Scouting organization of Nigeria. Scouting was founded in the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria in 1915 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1961. SAN has about 750,210 members as of 2015.
History
Scouting started in Nigeria on the 21st of November 1915, eight years after it was started Worldwide by Robert Baden-Powell in 1907.
Scouting in Nigeria was introduced by the then Governor-General of Nigeria, Lord Frederick Lugard under the British Protectorates as Boy Scout of Nigeria registered under the International Scout Center at Ottawa Canada. In 1942, The Boy Scout of Nigeria (BSN) was registered under the Company Allied Matters of 1924 as the Boy Scout Association of Nigeria with the Second Governor-General, the Prime Minister of Lagos Protectorate and the Anglican Bishop of Lagos then being the very first Board of Trustee Members of the Boy Scout Association of Nigeria.
In 1960 shortly after the Independence, Chief Dr, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the First Nigeria President General became the Chief Scout of Nigeria. Same in 1961,Boy Scout Association of Nigeria was registered at International Scout Bureau in Ottawa Canada as a National Scout Organization. The International Scout Bureau later became World Scout Bureau that has it's Headquarters today at Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Notable Scout Leader that have led Scouting in the early 60s, in Nigeria was C.C. Mojekwu, The First Nigeria Chief Commissioner. After the Civil War tagged "No Victor, No Vanquish" General Yakubu Gowon, the then President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces became the Chief Scout of Nigeria from 1966 - 1975. General Yakubu Gowon- GCFR contributed to Scouting in Nigeria and most of the Law that established Voluntary Organizations especially Scouting were reinforced. Notable Scouts in Nigeria in the 70s through 90s were but not limited to: General Yakubu Gowon-GCFR, General Muhammadu Buhari - GCFR, then as the Head of State of Nigeria, in 1983, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo - GCFR, then Head of State in 1979, Chief S. Lambo, a one time Chief Scout of Nigeria, Alhaji Inuwa Ada, a one time Chief Scout of Nigeria, Pa. Bennet B. Shotade, Pa. Adepeju, Pa. Adekunle, Pa. Samson Yayok, Chief Effiom Okon, Chief Cornelius Taiwo, Elder Aki Eyo.
In 1999 after the World Scout Conference of Durban South Africa that Resolution 4/99 was adopted by the Conference on Gender Balance in Scouting and urged all National Scout Organization to align on the Gender Balance Programs in their various Countries. The Annual General Meeting of Boy Scout Association of Nigeria was called In 1999 and It was passed by the National Scout Council that; the names Boys Scout Association of Nigeria should be changed to The Scout Association of Nigeria, so as to accommodate all Genders both Boys, Girls, Men and Women. The Leaders that stewarded the AGM then were Chief S. Lambo of blessed memories, the then Chief Scout of Nigeria, Alhaji Inuwa Ada, a Centenarians Deputy Chief Scout of Nigeria then, that later became the Chief Scout of Nigeria. Alhaji Inuwa Ada is still very much alive today at the age of about 107 years. Chief Effiom Okon, the then Chief Commissioner of Scout of Nigeria of blessed memories.
C.C. Mojekwu served on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1961 until 1969.
In 1979, F.O. Ogunlana was awarded the Bronze Wolf, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting.
In 1981 Pa. Bennet B. Shotade was awarded the Silver World Award,The Silver World Award is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on an international basis.
Many Nigerian Scouts served internationally as a trainer or volunteer. Some won international awards and also manage unit or groups. BSA archive have:-
Gabriel Ofotokun-Goodwill: Nigeria and BSA in 1969 -85.
Soneye Philip: Nigeria, BSA and UK scouts trainer and commissioner in 2004 -
Been the most populated African nation and most populous black nation, scouting is increasing on daily basis in Nigeria.
Nigeria National Scout Association, strategised in 2008 shortly after then came back from the World Scout Jamboree in Essex UK. The Jamboree that celebrated Scouting 100 years.
Program
Activities
This organization is open to both boys and girls of all religions, although its members are mostly Muslims and Christians of various denominations.
Program emphasis is on citizenship training and community service projects, services at national, state and community events, and providing first aid in case of disaster. Fish farming is carried out in rural areas to improve diet.
There is a national community development project at Igbo-Ora, in Oyo State, which includes fish farming, agriculture and a training center for Scouts from all over the country. Scouts have planted crops including maize, melons and pineapples, as well as learned about mortar/mesh technology for the construction of low-cost housing. The project provides a training service to help local farmers learn new techniques.
Scouts sometimes organize social activities with Girl Guides, and the leaders of the two organizations maintain contact with each other.
Sections
The association is divided in five sections according to age:
*Eaglets Or Beaver Scouts - aged 4-6 years
*Cub Scouts - aged 6-10½ years
*Scouts - aged 10½ to 15 years
*Venture Scouts - aged 15 and 17½ years
*Explorer Scouts - aged 18 and above
Air and Sea Scouts
Some Scout Groups belong to separate branches of the Scouting programme called Air Scouts and Sea Scouts. Both branches follow the core programme in all Sections but can add more aeronautical or nautical emphasis depending on the branch, with some Group branches choosing to be recognized by the Nigerian Air Force or Nigerian Navy.
Ideals
;Scout Promise
On my honour I promise that I will do my best
to do my duty to God and my country
to help other people at all times
and to obey the Scout Law.
;Scout Law
# A Scout's honour is to be trusted.
# A Scout is loyal to his country, his Scouter, his parents, his employers and to those under him.
# A Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others.
# A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout no matter to what country, class or creed he may belong.
# A Scout is kind, gentle and polite.
# A Scout is a friend to animals.
# A Scout obeys orders from his parents, Patrol Leader or Scout Master without question.
# A Scout is cheerful under all difficulties.
# A Scout is thrifty.
# A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.
;Scout Motto
Be Prepared.
Campsites
Across the country, there are campsites owned by the Scout Association of Nigeria; usually they are owned and operated by a Scout District, Province, Division or State. These campsites are undergoing development so as to also make it available to others outside the organisation and gains additional income for the Scout district or state. However, there are about ten different sites that are run directly from the district to state levels of the Scout Association of Nigeria.
In addition to these sites, the Scout Association of Nigeria runs two conference centers, one in Oba Akenzua International Scout Camp at Ogba Benin City and another one in Kagoro National Scout Training Center Kaduna.

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