Chris'Oboh
JULY 18, 2023
BY COMRADE CHRIS’ OBOH,
Executive Speaker/Club Advisor
Great minds, I bring you good tidings from Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State. Without mincing words, I wish to unequivocally state that I am indeed very glad to be part of the 2023 edition of this annual event. To God Almighty, be the glory for making it a reality.
Without much ado, let us go straight to the business of the day which is ‘ Harnessing Creativity For Social Impact And Community Development’
What is creativity?
It is the ability to make or otherwise bring into existence something new, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form.
For instance, the sudden use of the Liquified Petroleum Gas ( LPG), to power our electricity generating set (Generators) in some homes as an alternative source of power, in view of the petroleum subsidy removal which jerked-up the Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS).
The Importance of creativity and its role in community development
(a.) Creativity engages the mind.
(b.) It frees the mind in a way that enables a person to absorb knowledge more easily. It makes processing learning more efficient
(c.) It enables alternative ways of thinking.
(d.) It unblocks old patterns or habits of thinking. It allows for non-linear thinking.
(e.) Creativity enables empathy.
(f.) It connects us to ourselves, i.e discovering whom you actually are.
(g.) It opens our hearts and doors to our mind. It brings us to hidden parts of ourselves.
(i.) It allows recognition of uniqueness and identity.
(j.) It can help draw out what is already there within – hidden talents and inner capacities can emerge, just some of us here who have been able discover ourselves, apart from what we were taught in schools.
(k.) It connects us with our passions.
(l.) Creative participation nurtures a sense of togetherness.
(m.) It brings people together and can nurture skills in teamwork and cooperation.
(n.) It challenges. Yes, it breeds competition amongst us
(o.) Creativity can connect reflection with action.
(p.) It builds intercultural connections.
(q.) It connects us to different cultures and sub-cultures.
(r.) It nurtures confidence.
(s.) It builds confidence. When they are confident, young people are less easily influenced by others
(t.) Creativity instills curiosity. Yes, the eagerness to learn and break more grounds is the crux of a creative mind.
(v.) It encourages questions.
(w.) Creative expression gives a voice.
(x.) It can help capture ideas, thoughts and visions about the world. Young people can advocate for themselves and for others.
(y.) Creativity is participatory and interactive.
(z.) When engaging with creativity, young people are not passively listening/absorbing, but are exploring, discovering and communicating. It can support young people to be more active and present as members of society.
It has also been proven that creativity, if properly harnessed, can bring about the following:
- Stimulation of motivation
- Exploration and communication beyond the limitation of words.
- Keeping the mind active.
- Engages different learning styles.
- Engagement through a variety of learning styles. Everyone learns and engages differently.
- Allows us to view and solve problems more openly and with innovation.
- Opens the mind.
Any society that has lost touch with its creative side is an imprisoned society, in that generations of people may be closed minded. It broadens our perspectives and can help us overcome prejudices.
Creativity inspires collective thinking, nurtures ideas, and
supports resilience.
From the foregoing, it therefore becomes very imperative to state that the importance of creativity for in community development cannot be overemphasized.
Let us strive harder towards ensuring that Nigeria remains in touch with its creative side ( You and I), with a view to preventing it from becoming an imprisoned society.
God Bless Nigeria.
Comrade Chris’Oboh
Assessment Officer
Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State.
