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July 15, 2024

S.M.I.L.E YOUNG LEADERS SOCIAL IMPACT PROJECT

We are really proud of our Girls and young leaders at Eva Adelaja Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Bariga for embarking on an Educational Outreach to share the knowledge gained during the 2024 S.M.I.L.E Young Leaders Mentoring Program(YLMP) with their peers.

This initiative is one of the social impact projects carried upon by these 5 Change Champions with the support of their mentees. The impactful program which held on Friday May 10, 2024 had 200 students in attendance( 180 students from the Senior Secondary School and 20 from the Junior Secondary School)

Program highlights include a session on leadership by the Deputy Governor, Miss Eniola Odujebe. She enlightened her peers on the meaning of leadership, the importance of imbibing admirable leadership qualities and embracing transformational leadership.

She reiterated the fact that, they have what it takes to be great leaders, encouraging them to lead change in their school, community and nation at large.

Another highlight of the day was the session on Etiquette and Comportment by a mentee- Miss Omowonuola Adekoya. She explained the meaning of Etiquette, and the various forms of Etiquette namely: Communication Etiquette, Phone Etiquette, Dining Etiquette and so on. The students were excited to practicalize the session on dining etiquette.

The young leaders wrapped up the program with the Indian Boy video which stirred up a conversation about the importance of taking initiative and solving problems.

Our profound gratitude to the school management, Mrs Oluremi Ladipo, the Vice-Principal Eva Adelaja Girls’ Senior Secondary School/ S.M.I.L.E YLMP School Counselor and S.M.I.L.E’s Youth mentors, Miss Victoria Ogundiran and Miss Aishat Ibrahim for their immense support in guiding and supporting these young leaders.

#Youth

#Education

#Empowerment

#YouthLeadChange #MentoredForGrowth

#S.M.I.L.EEducationalOutreach

www.smileng.org

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

April 30, 2024

S.M.I.L.E EXECUTIVE MENTORING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH(EMPY) : BUSINESS COHORT MODULE 5

Opportunities abound and are readily available to those who have a growth mindset. Young Entrepreneurs must understand the need their products/services are designed to meet and the target customers who are willing to pay for it.

This and more was the crux of discussion for the Mentees in the Business Cohort of S.M.I.L.E’s Executive Mentoring Program for Youth (EMPY). Special thanks to Mr Femi Akinfolarin, Head of Strategy, Wema Bank Plc who shared great insights on the topic Scaling your Micro Business.

He further opened the minds of our mentees to the various stages of business growth, the importance of having a business plan and steps to scale their businesses.

One of the high points of this immensely impactful session was his charge to the mentees to identify and understand their Unique Value Proposition as well as the importance of knowing their numbers so they can be ready to pitch their ideas/businesses to prospective partners/investors which can be pivotal to their business growth.

Having exceptional Youth enthusiast, top professionals and facilitators who are always ready to give their time and share their experiences with our Youth is a blessing we do not take for granted.

April 17, 2024

2023/2024 S.M.I.L.E EMPY MODULE 4: PERSONAL BRANDING ESSENTIALS FOR BUSINESS AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT

The 4th module of the Executive Mentoring Program for Youth, facilitated by one of S.M.I.L.E’s trustees-Mr Idy Enang

(CEO, Corporate Shepherds Limited) was focused on helping the 40 mentees (from the Career Cohort and the Business/Social Enterprise Cohort) understand the meaning and concept of personal branding as it relates to their individual and business growth.

Mr Enang, explained that branding requires clarity, intentionality, consistency and authenticity. He added that branding is important because it helps in proving one’s credibility, expertise and increases visibility.

He encouraged the Youth to define who they are, make conscious effort to stand out, and have a unique selling point, as they build the brand called ‘Me’. He emphasized the need to craft a brand statement, have an elevator pitch and ensure they manage their reputation at all times.

Furthermore in optimizing their social media platforms, he encouraged them to know their audience, and align their content with their brand.

We are so elated at the in-depth teaching and excellent delivery by Mr Idy Enang. It’s always a delight to learn from his wealth of experience as a brand icon.

Idy Enang

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

April 16, 2024April 16, 2024

S.M.I.L.E EXECUTIVE MENTORING PROGRAM FOR YOUTH(EMPY) : CAREER COHORT MODULE 3

We are grateful to Mrs. Chinyere Tony-Eke, Group Head, Digital Banking and Partnerships, at Globus Bank for enlightening the mentees on S.M.I.L.E’s Executive Mentoring Program for Youth (EMPY) on how to navigate today’s workplace, the employability and in-demand skills that will help them stand out, and various ways they can gain work experience.

The third module of the EMPY was a blend of wisdom, experience and new nuggets/ideas for the mentees in our Career Cohort as we took the topic : Building a Thriving Career in Today’s Workplace

This session was an eye opener to the undergraduates who are just starting out on their respective career paths and we are grateful to Mrs Tony-Eke for sharing great insights as well as using her personal career journey, victories and challenges she had to overcome along her path to drive home her points during the session.

Our profound gratitude to all our partners who keep supporting us as we mentor more young people to achieve all round success.

January 27, 2023

DAY 3 – 2022 END OF YEAR GRATITUDE

CELEBRATING 19 SCHOOL PREFECTS ON OUR 2022 YOUNG LEADERS MENTORING PROGRAM

We are glad to celebrate our 2022 Change Champions who were appointed into leadership positions across the 8 secondary schools we adopted this year.

We are optimistic that the knowledge and insights gained through our 2022 Young Leaders Mentoring Program will ensure this new breed of exceptional and skilled young leaders make a positive impact during their tenure.

We are proud of you!

#EndofYearGratitude

www.smileng.org

January 27, 2023

2022 END OF YEAR GRATITUDE 🌹 CELEBRATING OUR INTERNS

Our special appreciation to our dedicated young interns who have not only committed their time to learning but have brought great ideas, positive energy and creativity to our programs.

We celebrate you

#EndofYearGratitude

www.smileng.org

January 27, 2023January 27, 2023

S.M.I.L.E SUPPORTS DISTINCT TEENS SUMMIT IN IKORODU

As a youth development organization, we are glad to be one of the partners of the educative and enlightening fourth edition of the Distinct Teens Summit organized by Radiance Niche on the 1st of October, 2022 which impacted 159 teenagers in Ikorodu.

This year’s summit with the Theme: Connect the Dots, was aimed at bridging the knowledge and skills gap of teenagers in Ikorodu and addressed issues around Sexual and Gender Based Violence(SGBV), Tech Skills for Teens, Entrepreneurship, Academic Excellence and Self-discovery.

We are so proud of Mrs Ajibola Babalola, the founder of Radiance Niche, a graduate of S.M.I.L.E’s 2016 Social Enterprise Development Program, and the 2014 Most Outstanding Leadership Award recipient of the S.M.I.L.E One Year Mentoring and Leadership Program for Graduates and Young Professionals, for another laudable initiative.

#YouthLeadChange

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

www.smileng.org

January 27, 2023January 27, 2023

The Young Trailblazer || October

Dear Friends,

This month’s spotlight is on 19 years old Victor Yahaya, the governor of the 2020 set of Change Champions in Archdeacon Adelaja Senior High School, Lagos.

Three words that best describe him are courageous, intelligent and introspective. Victor loves to speak and write quotes on Leadership, Purpose and Dreams.

He sees himself as a problem solver and a blessing to his generation.

#YouthLeadChange

Building a better world, raising a new generation of leaders

September 21, 2022

TWO YOUNG LEADERS EMERGE AS RECIPIENTS OF S.M.I.L.E’s DIGITAL LITERACY AWARD

Congratulations to our two young leaders who emerged as the recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Award during the maiden edition of S.M.I.L.E’s Digital Literacy Programme in public secondary schools.

Our special thanks to our partners, Agents for Change International, USA and The CARR Group, Bahamas, for sponsoring this program; through their donations we were able to present 2 brand new android phones to these outstanding students.

While lack of devices such as laptops and android phones continues to be major causes for the alarming digital divide, we are excited these 2 young leaders now have the tools to aid their learning, continue to improve their digital skills and better equip them to interact with the global community.

To help us touch lives, and raise more digitally equipped young leaders please donate via https://smileng.org/donate/

#YouthLeadChange

www.smileng.org

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

September 21, 2022

OUR PARTNERS, OUR HEROES ❤️ S.M.I.L.E DIGITAL LITERACY PROGRAM IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS

As we conclude the maiden edition of S.M.I.L.E’s 7 weeks Digital Literacy Program for indigent students in public secondary schools, our heartfelt gratitude goes to the sponsors of the impactful program, Agents for Change International, USA and The CARR Group, Bahamas.

Our special thanks to our long-standing partners the Lagos State Education District II, the management of Lanre Awolokun High School Lagos, S.M.I.L.E’s school counselor, Mrs Victoria Adeyemo and the students of the school for ensuring the pilot program was a huge success.

Our profound appreciation goes to our partner and Lead Facilitator, the very dynamic CEO of Mobitranes Technologies , Mr Jesse Okpara, our dedicated co- facilitator Mr Gbenga Adebayo and S.M.I.L.E’s very resourceful intern, Miss Alimot Uthman. We are indeed indebted to them for their selflessness and dedication to our youth development pursuit without which we wouldn’t have been be able to achieve this goal.

To help us touch lives, and raise more digitally equipped young leaders please donate via https://smileng.org/donate/