The Mastermind Community Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has introduced a new initiative aimed at equipping young people with essential life skills to support their personal growth and development.
The initiative was officially launched during a one-day sensitisation workshop held at Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior High School in Maryland, Lagos. The event brought together students from public schools across the state to learn about emotional and social intelligence—skills critical for managing emotions, building healthy relationships, and making sound decisions.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Foundation, Vivianne Oghene, explained that the project was developed to address the increasing need for social-emotional learning among in-school youths. She said the programme, themed “Mastering Emotional and Social Intelligence for Holistic Success,” has already been introduced in five government-owned schools in Lagos.
Oghene also appealed to the government, corporate organisations, and private individuals to support and collaborate with the foundation as it plans to extend the initiative to more schools, including private institutions and schools in other states.
“We are passionate about this initiative and firmly believe it will create lasting change in the lives of our young people,” she said.
Also speaking at the workshop, Education Quality Specialist and former director at the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Adeyemi Adebayo, stressed the importance of emotional and social skills in the development of young minds. He warned that the absence of these skills often contributes to negative behaviours such as peer pressure, cultism, and poor decision-making among youths.
“Parents must become more involved and talk openly with their children. The world is changing fast, and children need guidance to understand the consequences of their actions,” Adebayo noted.
Students who participated in the programme expressed gratitude for the opportunity. One of them, Obechina Chinaza, shared that the session had taught her valuable lessons on emotional control and how to maintain positive interactions with others.
The Mastermind Community Foundation’s initiative represents a growing recognition of the role social and emotional learning plays in shaping a well-rounded and resilient generation of young Nigerians.
