The Living Afresh Foundation has celebrated the successful completion of its four-month Eka@60 digital skills empowerment programme, graduating 60 beneficiaries who received fully sponsored training across three digital skills tracks. The closing and award ceremony, held on Thursday, 15 October 2026, also served as a pre-birthday celebration in honour of the Foundation’s Founder, Mrs Eka Sunmonu, who will turn 60 on 7 November 2026.

Established by Mrs Sunmonu as a way of giving back to society in celebration of her 60th birthday, Eka@60 reflects her commitment to creating opportunities for others through education, skills development and empowerment. Through the initiative, 60 beneficiaries received training in Foundations of Digital Marketing with AI Integration, Data Analysis with AI Integration, and ICT Fundamentals with AI Integration. The four-month programme equipped participants with relevant digital competencies and introduced them to the practical application of Artificial Intelligence in an increasingly technology-driven world.

One of the programme’s most encouraging outcomes is the success of a beneficiary who has already secured employment following the training. Her academic work was reviewed as part of the process leading to the employment opportunity, demonstrating how the knowledge and practical work developed during the programme can help participants showcase their capabilities and access opportunities in the workplace. This achievement offers an early example of how structured digital skills training can help bridge the gap between learning and employment.

Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Mrs Sunmonu said, “As I approach my 60th birthday, I wanted to mark this milestone by creating meaningful opportunities for others. This inspired Eka@60, through which we sponsored 60 beneficiaries to acquire digital skills that can open doors to new possibilities.

“My hope is that these beneficiaries will use the knowledge they have gained to build careers, grow businesses and create better futures for themselves and their families. For me, this is what giving back means: investing in people and creating opportunities whose impact extends far beyond the celebration.”

The initiative reflects a deliberate choice to transform a personal milestone into an opportunity for collective progress. By investing in digital skills development, Mrs Sunmonu has supported 60 individuals in preparing for a changing economic landscape in which digital literacy and AI-related competencies are increasingly relevant to employment, entrepreneurship and business growth.

Eka@60 also builds on Mrs Sunmonu’s broader commitment to economic empowerment, particularly her work supporting single mothers. Through her empowerment efforts, she has empowered over 200 single mothers, helping them build and expand their businesses. This work reflects a commitment to strengthening women’s economic participation and supporting their capacity to pursue more sustainable livelihoods. By providing opportunities for women to develop their businesses and for individuals to acquire relevant digital skills, her initiatives recognise that lasting empowerment requires access to the knowledge, tools and opportunities people need to improve their circumstances.

The closing ceremony brought together beneficiaries, invited guests, speakers and members of the Foundation’s community to recognise the participants’ achievements and celebrate the successful completion of the programme. The event featured a keynote address, sessions on AI integration and the three training tracks, the Founder’s address, beneficiary reflections, and the presentation of certificates and awards.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of three outstanding graduates for their performance across the programme’s training tracks. Helen Ademile was recognised as the best graduating student in Data Analysis with AI Integration, Mary Bawa in Foundations of Digital Marketing with AI Integration, and Ezinne Agwadike in ICT Fundamentals with AI Integration. Their achievements celebrated their dedication, commitment to learning and successful completion of the four-month programme, underscoring the importance of developing practical digital skills for an increasingly AI-driven world.

Reflecting on the experience, beneficiary Nnesochi Okoro said, “The Eka@60 programme has equipped me with valuable digital skills and strengthened my confidence to pursue new opportunities. I’m grateful to Mrs Eka Sunmonu and the Living Afresh Foundation for this investment in my future, and I look forward to applying what I’ve learnt to my career.”

As Mrs Sunmonu approaches her 60th birthday on 7 November 2026, the successful completion of Eka@60 represents a milestone that brings together personal celebration and social impact. For the 60 beneficiaries, the programme marks the completion of four months of learning and the beginning of new possibilities, with the employment success of one participant offering an encouraging early example of the opportunities such training can create.

Beyond Eka@60, the Living Afresh Foundation continues to pursue its commitment to community development and economic empowerment through initiatives supporting single mothers and underprivileged children. Its work includes empowering over 200 single mothers to build and expand their businesses, alongside initiatives such as the 120 Children Monthly Feeding Initiative and other outreach programmes designed to support vulnerable members of society. Through these efforts, the Foundation seeks to address immediate needs while creating opportunities for individuals and families to improve their circumstances and build more sustainable futures.

The successful completion of Eka@60 reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to equipping people with relevant skills, supporting economic independence and creating pathways to opportunity. As it celebrates Mrs Sunmonu’s milestone birthday, the Foundation looks towards extending the impact of its initiatives and reaching more individuals and communities through its continuing work.