Toast Masters International is a non-profit organisation put together to promote communication, public speaking and leadership skills among members.
It was founded in 1924 by one Dr. Ralph Smedley and has its headquarters in the United States.
It has 350, 000 members in 143 countries across the world.
Addressing the students on Thursday, the president of Kano State chapter of Toast Masters Club, Emdee Tiamiyu, described the organisation as world leader in communication and leadership development.
He said: “The world needs leaders. Leaders head families, coach teams, run businesses and mentor others. These leaders must not only accomplish, they must communicate. By regularly giving speeches, gaining feedback, leading teams and guiding others to achieve their goals in a supportive atmosphere, leaders emerge from the Toastmasters Programme.
“Every Toastmasters journey begins with a single speech. During their journey, they learn to tell their stories. They listen and answer. They plan and lead. They give feedback—and accept it. Through our community of learners, they find their path to leadership.”
Speaking on the arrangement, SUN’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Mr. Olushola Lawal, said the university is building partnership with Toast Masters Club to develop the students’ public speaking skills.
“ This would position them better for future activities and increase their employability,” he added.
Lawal said SUN’s sister institution in the United Arab Emirates, Skyline University College (SUC), has existing partnership with Toast Masters Club, adding that management of SUN hopes to replicate such cooperation here in Nigeria.