Kindness week: Adenuga reveals how Nigerians can be kinder, compassionate

Sustainability enthusiast and writer, Titilayo Adenuga, has revealed how Nigerians can be kinder and more compassionate, even in the face of the many challenges facing the country.

Adenuga — who is also an educator, author of the children’s book ‘I am Mindful’, and founder of The Kindness Culture project — made this known on the occasion of the annual Be Kind To Humankind (BK2HK) week globally celebrated every 25 – 31 of August with the theme: ‘The week of generosity’.

She noted that Nigerians could be ranked seven on a scale of 10 in terms of kindness because they are generally accommodating, self-motivated and happy people.

“Although the harsh situation of the economy might make individuals more self-absorbed, we are naturally and culturally wired to be our brother’s keeper,” she said.

She stated that ingraining the virtues of kindness in both individuals and society starts with nurturing a culture of empathy and understanding from a young age through the education system, homes, communities, the media, and technology.

“It’s about recognising that each of us has the power to make a difference, one small act of kindness at a time,” she said. “When people feel supported and valued, they are more likely to extend that kindness to others.”

Adenuga stressed that the BK2HK week can be celebrated for maximum impact and benefit if Nigerians can harness the transformative power of kindness to foster a stronger sense of unity, empathy, and mutual support.

“Nigerians can observe this week in simple ways like being considerate while driving, lending a hand, teaching children the significance of these virtues, spreading more awareness about the week across various media platforms, and being kind to ourselves and others,” she added.

In light of this, she advised the Federal Government to emulate Bhutan — a country she noted is often cited for its Gross National Happiness Index.

She said one of the ways the government can achieve this is by integrating a comprehensive value-based education into the national curriculum which will further increase the kindness quotient of the country. She added that implementing policies that support work-life balance, mental health, and well-being will also help.

“By infusing schools with programmes that teach empathy, conflict resolution, and the importance of kindness, we would be equipping the next generation with essential life skills that extend far beyond academics,” she said.

Speaking on the relevance of her children’s book titled ‘I am Mindful’ to the BK2HK week, she said the book weaves kindness, empathy, compassion, respect, and boundaries into a simple, yet captivating story.

“It is not just a book — that it’s a hug, a smile, and a nudge in the right direction for children,” she added.

Adenuga enjoined schools and parents to be more aware of this important week and actively engage children to participate in it as they do other globally recognised days.

“I want children to take away the powerful message that being generous is not just something we do once in a while,” she said. “It is a way of life, a way of being mindful of the world and the people around us.”