In a remarkable show of youth leadership and community spirit, mentees of the Zion Oshiobugie Mentorship Programme have empowered over 300 orphaned and underprivileged children through a legacy outreach tagged “Gift a Future,” held in the Iyara community of Warri, Delta State.
The initiative, hosted at CleverMinds Free Nursery and Primary School, provided educational materials—including school bags, notebooks, and stationery—to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The event also offered mentorship sessions and motivational talks, reaffirming the value of education and self-belief for young Nigerians facing adversity.
Among the mentees who led the project were Israel Omote, Ajoko Omolade, Treasure Edeguafe, Mrs Oluchi Azuka, Chukwu Felicity, Nancy Okiemute, Alexander Idowu, Okudor Miracle, Oghotomo Glory, and Victoria Cobham Bassey. The outreach drew guests, volunteers, and community leaders who commended the mentees for translating mentorship lessons into tangible social impact.
The “Gift a Future” project forms part of the Zion Oshiobugie Youth Mentorship Programme, a year-long leadership and self-development initiative for Nigerians aged 16 to 25. Founded by Mr Zion Oshiobugie, a youth development advocate and education reformer, the programme is structured around four key stages—Discover, Develop, Design, and Deploy—to help participants unlock their potential and channel it into meaningful community service.
“We are not raising spectators,” Oshiobugie said. “We are raising solution-bringers—young people who understand their value and are ready to serve their generation.”
Through the programme, participants benefit from mentorship, paid internships, international passport support, and fully sponsored JAMB registrations. They are also guided to design social impact projects that address local challenges in education, health, environment, and youth empowerment.
The management of CleverMinds Free Nursery and Primary School expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, noting that many of the beneficiaries are children affected by poverty, trauma, or family loss. The school currently provides free education, daily meals, STEM learning, psychosocial support, and agricultural training through its school farm.
“This support means the world to our children,” a representative of CleverMinds said. “It not only meets their immediate educational needs but also restores their confidence and sense of belonging.”
CleverMinds Educational Foundation, founded by Oshiobugie, operates across Nigeria and the United Kingdom. It focuses on breaking cycles of poverty through education and youth empowerment. The foundation has announced plans to establish an orphanage home by 2027 and extend its reach to 20,000 children across Africa by 2035.
Mr Oshiobugie, who rose from humble beginnings as a domestic worker to become an education leader and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Edo State, continues to inspire through his story and mentorship. His book, Starting Your NGO: How to Start, Grow & Get Funding for Your NGO, has become a resource for many emerging social entrepreneurs across Africa.
“When young people take ownership of community transformation, we begin to see the kind of Africa we dream about,” he said, reaffirming his belief that sustainable change begins with empowered youth.
Supporters of the “Gift a Future” initiative are encouraged to contribute through educational sponsorships, meal support, mentorship partnerships, and volunteering opportunities. The goal, organisers say, is simple but profound—to ensure every child, regardless of background, has access to learning, hope, and a future worth celebrating.
