The Nigerian Girl Guides Association
Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting introduced: 1919
Number of Girl Guides/Girl Scouts: 120000 (01/01/2006)
Status: Full Member
Admits boys: No
C/O Po Box 640
16, Omo-Osagie Street
S. W. Ilkoyi-Lagos
Girl Guide Promise
I promise, on my honour, to do my best:
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people at all times, and
To obey the Guide Law.
I promise to do my best:
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people every day, especially those at home.
Girl Guide Law
1 A Guide’s honour is to be trusted.
2 A Guide is loyal.
3 A Guide’s duty is to be useful and to help others.
4 A Guide is a friend to all, and a sister to every other Guide.
5 A Guide is courteous.
6 A Guide is a friend to animals.
7 A Guide obeys orders.
8 A Guide smiles and sings under all difficulties.
9 A Guide is thrifty.
10 A Guide is pure in thought, word and deed.
A Brownie is truthful, obedient and cheerful.
A Brownie thinks of others before herself.
Girl Guide Motto - Be Prepared
Brownie Motto - Lend a Hand
Ranger and Cadet 16-18
Development of the movement:
The first Girl Guide company in Nigeria was formed in 1919 and before long companies were started in several schools in different parts of the country. Four years later, a committee of interested people was set up to encourage and direct the work of the rapidly spreading Movement. This committee, then known as the Central Nigeria Executive Committee, later became the Council of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association.
The first Brownie pack was registered in 1927, and in 1929 a company was formed in a lepers’ hospital. Ranger companies first appeared in Nigeria in 1934 and the further expansion of Girl Guiding led to the formation of Cadet companies. Girl Guiding quickly spread to all parts of the country and numbers increased rapidly.
The Nigerian Girl Guides Association’s new three storey building serves as the National Headquarters. It also houses a New Day Care Centre, the Guide Shop and a Conference Hall. The third floor is a transit hostel.
The Government donated over 13 hectares of land at Abuja, the national capital, for the use of the Association and the proposed 5th World Centre. This choice site is still waiting to be developed.
The Association celebrated its 80th anniversary with pomp and pageantry in 1999.
The programme is based on eight points: keeping fit, becoming a homemaker, giving service, keeping the Guide Law, getting to know people, enjoying the outdoors, ability to take decisions for yourself and exploring the arts. Girls are encouraged to develop their line of interest fully.
Relationship to society:
The Association continually strives to involve members in community service work, especially with the elderly, people with special needs and orphans.
Day care centres have been established in several states for children of working mothers. A vocational training centre for girls with special needs, both mental and physical, with the aim of integrating them into society as active and productive members, was also established. The first section of the centre was opened in 1975, and in 1984 a sheltered workshop and physiotherapy unit were added. A number of the girls have learnt useful trades and have responded well to medical treatment. There is now an old student on the staff of the school.
Other projects have involved Guides in poultry rearing and the cultivation of vegetables and flowers which are sold on special market days. Guides also help to care for motherless babies in homes.
Two companies in Lagos take turns in visiting the old people’s home weekly. They make the residents feel wanted and give them individual attention. A Company in Cross Rivers State also visits the leper colony regularly giving food, clothing and drugs.
A New Skills Centre for early school leavers has also been established. Income generating skills e.g. sewing, cooking, cake decorating, batik and tie and dye are taught. This project aims to empower young women who would otherwise have left school without any skills and be unemployable.
The Association works on five Building World Citizenship projects and the WAGGGS’ Initiative on the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy.
Communication and Co-operation
Guides and Brownies are encouraged to have friends in other countries and to learn about their cultures. Members of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association take an active part in international Girl Guiding/ Girl Scouting and when possible attend international camps, training courses and conferences.
In co-operation with UNICEF and the Government, the Nigerian Girl Guides Association trained Guide Leaders who in turn trained Guides on oral rehydration therapy; the Baby Friendly Initiative. The Association participates in the AIDS awareness campaign, Clean the Beach, and Clean Up the World Australia. The Nigerian Girl Guides Association often observes United Nations’ days.
The Association works with Non Governmental Organizations in Education (NGOSED) and Education for All Non Governmental Organizations (EFANGO) in Nigeria to ensure education for all Nigerians by the year 2015.
Training sessions are organized at state level throughout the year for Guides and Leaders. At national level there are two annual training camps, each lasting from seven to ten days, when new methods are introduced and ideas exchanged. One camp is attended by Leaders and commissioners, and the other by Senior Guides and Rangers.
Outdoor and Environmental Activities
Guides in most states have undertaken tree-planting projects in co-operation with the local community and other voluntary organizations. Rangers and Cadets have organized water purification projects in rural areas, and have participated in general environmental hygiene campaigns. The Clean up the World campaign is also observed annually in September.