Talent for Tolerance Hunt Competition: A national anti-bullying Initiative

PLANNING AHEAD FOR THE

2^nd NATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING AND VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS (November 10^th- 14^th, 2025)

Subject: Invitation to Participate in "Talent for Tolerance: A Celebration of Skills and Kindness" - A National Anti-Bullying Initiative.

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Dear Principal/ Director/CEO,

The African Principals Conference Initiative (APCI), in collaboration with the ABR STUDENTS WELL-BEING AMBASSADORS of registered schools in Nigeria, is pleased to invite your esteemed school to participate in a nationwide initiative designed to combat bullying and promote a culture of kindness: the "Talent for Tolerance: A Celebration of Skills and Kindness" Talent Hunt Fest

This project, commencing on September 22nd, 2025, aligns with the 2nd National Week of Action against Bullying and Violence in Schools (November 10th-14th, 2025), amplifying its impact and reach. We believe that by providing a platform for students to showcase their diverse talents, we can effectively cultivate essential skills of tolerance and kindness across Nigeria.

The Vision behind "Talent for Tolerance":

In today's dynamic and interconnected world, the ability to understand, respect, and appreciate individual differences is more crucial than ever. Unfortunately, bullying continues to be a significant challenge in many school settings, impacting the well-being, academic performance, and overall development of students. Recognizing the need for proactive and engaging strategies to address this pressing issue, the ABR STUDENTS WELL-BEING AMBASSADORS have conceived "Talent for Tolerance."

This is not just another talent show. It is a carefully curated event designed to:

1. Promote Diversity: Celebrate the wide array of talents and abilities that exist within our student population, fostering an appreciation for individual uniqueness.
2. Promote Empathy and Understanding: Encourage students to use their creative expressions to explore themes of kindness, compassion, and the impact of bullying, thereby fostering deeper understanding and empathy.
3. Empower Positive Action: Inspire students to become agents of change by promoting upstander behavior and challenging intolerance through their performances and presentations.
4. Build Essential Life Skills: Develop crucial skills such as self-confidence, communication, teamwork (for collaborative entries), and resilience in a supportive and encouraging environment.
5. Strengthen School Communities: Provide an opportunity for students from different schools to connect, share their talents, and build positive relationships based on mutual respect.

The "Talent for Tolerance" Competition:

We are inviting entries from students in registered secondary schools across Nigeria to showcase their talents in the following categories:

1. Singing: Solo or group performances of any genre.
2. Dancing: Individual or group dance routines encompassing various styles.
3. Acting: Dramatic or comedic skits, monologues, or short plays.
4. Visual Arts: Display of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, digital art, and other creative visual mediums. (Entries will be judged based on submitted portfolios or displayed on the day of the event).
5. Poetry: Original spoken word performances or recitations of existing poems that align with the theme of tolerance and kindness.
6. Public Speaking: Persuasive speeches, presentations, or storytelling on topics related to anti-bullying, empathy, and respect for diversity.
7. Comedy: Stand-up comedy routines or short comedic skits that promote positive social interactions and humor without being offensive or discriminatory.
8. Instrumental Music: Solo or ensemble performances on any musical instrument.
9. Technical Skills: Demonstrations of innovative technical skills, coding projects, robotics displays, or other technology-based talents with a potential positive social impact.
10. Problem-Solving or Innovation Challenges: Presentations of creative solutions to real-world problems, particularly those related to fostering a kinder and more tolerant school environment. (Specific challenge details will be provided upon registration).

Logistics: Talent for Tolerance Project Competition

Project Goal: To foster widespread participation and ensure equitable competition in the "Talent for Tolerance" initiative.

The "Talent for Tolerance" project competition will be executed through a structured three-phase approach:

Phase 1: School Campus Competition (September 22nd - October 31st, 2025)

• Objective: To identify exceptional talent within individual schools through internal competitions organized at the class or hostel level.
• Process: Participating schools will conduct internal competitions based on provided guidelines.
• Advancement: The winning entry from each school will be professionally uploaded to the Africa Top Schools YouTube channel for subsequent State-level evaluation.
• Oversight: APCI Fellows will conduct unannounced supervisory visits to participating schools to ensure strict adherence to competition guidelines, promote fairness, and provide necessary guidance.

Phase 2: State Level Competition (Monday, November 10th, 2025)

• Objective: To identify the top talent at the State level.
• Participants: The top three winning entries from each Local Government Area will proceed to the State Final. Notable, Africa Top Schools’ outstanding awards-winning schools will directly join the competition at this stage.
• Coordination: APCI Fellows will play a pivotal role in the seamless coordination of State-level competitions, offering comprehensive guidance and support to all participating schools.

Phase 3: National Final Competition (Friday, November 14th, 2025)

• Objective: To determine the overall national winners of the "Talent for Tolerance" project.
• Participants: The top three winning entries from each State Level Competition will advance to the National Final.
• Event: A prestigious grand final event will be organized to showcase the national finalists and announce the overall winners.

This phased approach ensures broad grassroots engagement while maintaining a structured and fair competitive environment, culminating in a national celebration of talent for tolerance.

Call to Action and Next Steps:

We sincerely hope that you will encourage your talented students to participate in "Talent for Tolerance." This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a national movement against bullying while celebrating the creativity and potential of our youth.

To facilitate your school's participation, we kindly request you to:

1. Share this invitation with your students and relevant faculty members, particularly those involved in extracurricular activities, arts, and student welfare.
2. Nominate a teacher or coordinator who can serve as the point of contact between your school and the ABR STUDENTS WELL-BEING AMBASSADORS for this event.
3. Encourage interested students to prepare their entries based on the categories outlined above and the overarching theme of tolerance and kindness.
4. Look out for further announcements regarding registration details, timelines, and the date and venue of the "Talent for Tolerance" competition. These details will be shared with the designated school coordinator in due course.
5. Note the Expression of Interest Form Fee: A fee of #100,000 per school is required for the Expression of Interest form. The period for obtaining the form is from April 30th to August 31st, 2025.

We are confident that "Talent for Tolerance" will be a memorable and impactful event, fostering not only a celebration of talent but also a significant step towards building more tolerant and kinder school environments for all registered students in Nigeria.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to your school's active participation.

Sincerely,

 

Joseph Ayodele

For African Principals Conference Initiative.