… Participants to receive cash prizes, laptops

The Minister of Interior, Dr.Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the member representing Akoko Southeast/Akoko Southwest Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Adegboyega Ehindero, have jointly sponsored a seven-day residential bootcamp designed to train 100 Nigerian teenagers in leadership, technology, innovation and personal development.

The program, tagged FutureProofed 2.0, is being organized by a non-governmental organization, DevMe, and will be held in Akure, Ondo State, under the theme “Built to Last: Beyond the Classroom.

The Founder and Executive Director of DevMe, Temiloluwa Asagunla, disclosed this during a press conference held on Wednesday, ahead of the programme, saying it was designed to equip young Nigerians between the ages of 13 and 19 with practical skills and the mindset required to navigate an increasingly competitive world.
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‎She said participants would undergo intensive sessions in self-mastery, leadership, emerging careers, and digital literacy, while also taking part in practical projects, team collaborations, and problem-solving exercises.
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‎According to her, applications had been received from different parts of the country, including Lagos and Kaduna, but only 100 exceptional applicants would be selected after a rigorous screening process.
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‎Asagunla explained that applicants could register under either the Creative Expression category for writers, speakers, actors, and other creatives, or the Science category for young innovators and students working on technology-related projects, including robotics.
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‎”We are not simply bringing teenagers together for lectures. We are creating an environment where they can discover, develop, and deploy their potential. We want them to showcase what they have achieved, what they are building, and what they are passionate about,” she said.
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‎Representing the sponsors, Dr. Ayodeji Ologun said the decision to support the program was influenced by the success stories recorded during the maiden edition, adding that the initiative was intended to create opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their talents.
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‎He announced that the top two participants would each receive ₦2 million and a laptop, bringing the total cash prize to ₦4 million, while security would be provided throughout the camp by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
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‎Ologun stressed that the sponsorship was not politically motivated but focused on supporting young Nigerians to develop their abilities and prepare for future opportunities.
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‎”Last year, the top prize was ₦1 million. This year, the top two winners will receive ₦2 million each in addition to laptops. We believe this support will help them build a future they can be proud of,” he said.