His words inspired and encouraged fellow graduands to continue striving for excellence and making a positive impact in their communities.

It’s incredible to witness the enthusiasm and dedication to learning in every session.

Her presentation highlighted the program’s mission to empower young leaders through guidance, support, and mentorship, fostering their growth and development.

His words highlighted the critical role of youth in leveraging digital tools for sustainable development.

Together, we can build a brighter future.

Together, we celebrate the power of youth, their resilience, and their role as change-makers in building a brighter future.

The Climate Action Student’s Conference themed Educating for Climate Change: Empowering the Next Generation was a blend of advocacy and enlightenment.

It was a delight to have one of S.M.I.L.E’s partners-FABE International Foundation, (a leading NGO focused on Sustainability, Environment and Climate Change) at this great event.

The founder of FABE, Mrs Temitope Okunnu who was represented by Mr Israel Okeyinka an Environmentalist and a Climate Change Educator, spoke on the topic: Sustainability: Creating a Greener Future.

He spoke about Climate Action which is the action taken to combat climate change. He also emphasized that human activities are the main drivers of climate change while rising temperature, rising sea level, lack of fresh water, flood, drought and so on are the various effects of climate change on humans.

He took a step further by explaining the meaning of sustainability and things we can do to get involved namely: switching off our tap when not in use, and recycling,composting our food waste which can be used as fertilizers. He urged the students to carryout innovative projects around climate change and also identify programs/courses on climate change so they can be well equipped to solve this problem facing the world.

Our profound gratitude goes to Mrs Victoria Adeyemo, the S.M.I.L.E School Counselor of Lanre Awolokun High School for providing the needed guidance and support for our young leaders to carry out this exceptional project.

A major highlight at the Climate Action Student’s Conference organized by the S.M.I.L.E young leaders (Change Champions and Mentees) of Lanre Awolokun High School on Monday May 13, 2024 was the panel session anchored by Miss Amadi (the governor of the young leaders in the school).

The panelists comprising of mentees on the 2024 Young Leaders Mentoring Program spoke on some of the misconceptions about climate change, and the need for students to be informed by reading articles on climate change as well as watching educational videos. In addition, they emphasized the need for leaders to roll out policies that will address climate change and also integrate it into the school’s curriculum. They encouraged their peers to make use of reusable materials in the homes such as bags for shopping as well as water bottles for drinking water as opposed to pet bottles.

The panelists reiterated the need for more climate change awareness:,

To reduce carbon footprint

To demand action from our leaders

To share more educational articles and videos on climate change.

They captivated the audience with a song on climate change to wrap up the panel session.

In addition, the participating students were not left out as they were able to brainstorm with their peers from other schools on simple and practical ways they can mitigate climate change.

Special thanks to Miss Amadi for the enlightening spoken word on climate change, as well as the mentees who skillfully summarized the key lessons learnt during the program in Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa respectively.

We are so proud of the Change Champions of Lanre Awolokun High School for organizing such a remarkable program.

The need to mitigate the effect of Climate Change and create a more sustainable future for all cannot be overemphasized.

This was the bedrock of the discussion at the Climate Action Student’s Conference organized by the S.M.I.L.E young leaders (Change Champions and Mentees) of Lanre Awolokun High School on Monday May 13, 2024 with 110 students from 10 public secondary schools in Education District II, Lagos present.

The first session on the Role of Young People in Climate Action by Mrs Abiola Alabi, a teacher and Climate Action Educator was highly educative. This session captured practical ways students can turn waste to wealth using materials such as pet bottles, cartons and so on. The step by step approach in the making of the Ottoman from waste materials by Mrs Alabi was a high point for the students.

Also present at the event was Mr M.O Bankole, a Director at the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. In his remarks, he explained the concept of Climate Change as the long-term warming of the planet caused by an increase in green-house gases in the atmosphere. He cited simple ways the students can get involved through upcycling, planting of vegetables, avoid wasting water and so on. He charged the students to be Climate Change Advocates.

Profound gratitude to the Change Champions of Lanre Awolokun High School for organizing such an enlightening program for their peers.

#YouthLeadChange #MentoredForGrowth

#S.M.I.L.EEducationalOutreach

S.M.I.L.E…Building a better world, raising a new generation of Leaders

We had a unique segment during the 6th Module of S.M.I.L.E’s Executive Mentoring Program for Youth as mentees in the Business, Career and Social Enterprise Cohorts, learnt from 3 young professionals/ graduates who have navigated their career paths through the skills and lessons learnt as interns.

Our profound gratitude to Miss Motunrayo Bamgbose-Martins, a graduate of Psychology and Political Science currently in Law School in the United States of America for an insightful session on the topic: Importance of Internships for Professional Development.

Motunrayo highlighted the fact that internships help provide career clarity, build one’s professional network and is instrumental in transitioning into a full time job.

She emphasized the need for the mentees to ensure that their resume and cover letter are well structured and error free, be intentional about building professional networks during their internships, contribute to the organization by taking initiative and making life easier for those they are working with through their contributions. She cautioned the young mentees to keep things professional, communicate professionally and know the line they must not cross.

Furthermore, she shared insights on various ways to search for internships or jobs, as well as how to pitch and sell yourself. She encouraged mentees to take the risk by applying to organizations of interest.

Special thanks to Mr Olalekan Adepoju, a post graduate student in Canada and the first intern at S.M.I.L.E, who started his internship with S.M.I.L.E at the age of 15, spanning through a 7 year period. He encouraged the mentees to:

Check the organization’s goals, mission/vision to see how it aligns with their personal goals and identify how it will be a good fit for them.

Always be willing to learn, take responsibility and accept feedback

Identify their skills and ascertain its relevance to the organization

In addition, Mr Tobi Afolabi, also a post graduate student in Canada, who had also interned at S.M.I.L.E as an undergraduate, reiterated the need for the mentees to identify their career needs, be bold to send the necessary applications to organizations and to be interns with good character worthy of commendation.

We are yet to recover from this mind-blowing peer mentoring session. The need for young people to gain relevant work experience and develop soft skills cannot be overemphasized.

Special thanks to all our facilitators.

Tobi Afolabi

S.M.I.L.E…Building a better world, raising a new generation of Leaders