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Breakout Session and Networking – Action Planning

Students took leadership into their hands!

We wrapped up the 2025 S.M.I.L.E Educational Outreach for public secondary school students with a breakout session, allowing participants to reflect on key lessons learned and develop an action plan for implementation.

Through action planning, they discussed how to Act, Change, and Teach Others (ACT) with the guidance of the 2025 Executive Mentoring Program for Youth Mentees.

It was an educative, interesting and fun-filled engagement for the students.

Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, CEO Edumark Consult and a S.M.I.L.E Trustee (represented by Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde) delivered a powerful keynote address, titled Beyond Limits: Learn, Lead, and Thrive.

She urged the students at S.M.I.L.E’s annual Educational Outreach for public secondary schools, to push beyond their limits, step out of every limiting belief, embrace leadership, and thrive in every aspect of life!

She concluded her remarks with the inspiring story of her husband, Mr. Oluwemimo Ogunde, SAN, Principal Counsel at Latterhouse Chambers. Despite the challenges he faced after losing his mother at the age of 12, he remained determined and resilient, ultimately achieving his dream and reaching the peak of his legal profession—a true testament to resilience, hard work and success against all odds.

We were honored to have Mr. Olatunde Ezekiel Popoola, HOD, Co-Curricular, Science & Technology, Lagos State Education District II, share a goodwill message at S.M.I.L.E’s annual Educational Outreach for public secondary school students.

His words reinforced the power of education in shaping the future of our youth!

Mr. Popoola commended the quality and excellence of S.M.I.L.E’s programs, recognizing the organization’s remarkable efforts in education and youth development across schools in Lagos State Education District II.

Special appreciation to Mr. Tunde Mabawonku, Executive Director of Retail and Digital Banking at Wema Bank Plc and a S.M.I.L.E Trustee, for his insightful and inspiring remarks at S.M.I.L.E’s annual Educational Outreach for public secondary school students.

He shared his personal growth journey with the students, highlighting the importance of academic excellence. He also encouraged them to uphold strong character and remain diligent in their pursuits.

#Youth #Education #Empowerment #YouthLeadChange #MentoredForGrowth #SMILEEducationalOutreach

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

Beyond Titles – Cultivating a Leadership Mindset

Leadership is not about titles but impact! Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, President of S.M.I.L.E, led an insightful session explaining how young people can develop the right leadership mindset to create change.

She encouraged the students at S.M.I.L.E’s Annual Educational Outreach for public secondary schools to find ways to stand out. She reminded them that they are not too young to be change champions, leading voices, role models, and problem solvers in their communities.

During her session, she also played an engaging video that portrayed how young leaders can spot problems and proffer solutions

Her session was engaging and enlightening

From Idea to Income – Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurship starts with an idea or a problem we can proffer a solution to !

Mrs. Eunice Afolabi, CEO of Adler Technology, shared practical insights and steps on how the students can own businesses and turn their ideas into sustainable income, at S.M.I.L.E’s annual Educational Outreach for public secondary schools held recently.

At S.M.I.L.E, we are committed to equipping young people with entrepreneurial skills to tackle the rising unemployment crisis and create sustainable opportunities for the future.

Future entrepreneurs in the making!

Thriving in a Digital World – Essential Skills for Teenagers

In today’s digital age, skills are key! Mr. Olubodun Akinyele, Founder of AYITI, took the students present at S.M.I.L.E’s annual Educational Outreach for public secondary schools, through essential digital skills to learn and equip themselves with to help them thrive in the evolving digital world.

He emphasized how digital tools and skills are taking over jobs and how the students can maximize them and stay relevant.

Your Future, Your Choice – Career Pathways

Choosing the right career is crucial! Mrs. Chinyere Tony-Eke, Group Head, Digital Banking, Globus Bank Ltd, guided students on how to align their skills and passion with career choices for a successful future during her insightful session at S.M.I.L.E’s annual Educational Outreach for public secondary school students held on Wednesday March 12, 2025.

She shared strategies to building a successful career leveraging her career story.

It was an interesting session as the students paid keen attention.

Unleashing Hidden Talents

As a youth development organization, we believe in creating opportunities for young people to shine.

Many young people have incredible potential but lack the platform to showcase them. That’s why we stepped in—to give the stage to a few talented youths to showcase their skills during our annual Educational Outreach for public secondary school students held on Wednesday March 12, 2025 at the Power House Auditorium in Gbagada Lagos.

For majority of them it was the very first time performing publicly! And guess what? They did AMAZING!

Kudos to

– Miss Precious Christopher, a 2025 mentee on S.M.I.L.E’s Executive Mentoring Program for Youth who took the opening remarks confidently and also co-moderated the event excellently.

– Miss Abosede Akinyemi and Miss Mary Olanipekun, both 2025 Change Champion on S.M.I.L.E’s Young Leaders Mentoring Program, who beautifully rendered the National Anthem

– Miss Motunrayo Dossa, a 2025 Change Champion on S.M.I.L.E’s Young Leaders Mentoring Program, who captivated us with a soul-stirring song titled Education is My Legacy

– S.M.I.L.E Change Champions and Mentees from Lanre Awolokun High School and Gbagada Senior Grammar School for an educative drama on the Excellence Factor—showcasing the power of diligence and hard work!

This is just the beginning of something great, and we are honored to be part of their journey.

The journey of leadership is not just about learning—it’s about applying that knowledge to create real impact!

After 4 weeks of intensive training and 7 weeks of hands-on fieldwork and peer mentoring sessions, we are excited to assess the depth of understanding and practical application of the lessons learned by our Change Champions and their mentees.

On the 19th and 20th of March 2025, 40 Change Champions and their 156 mentees across 8 Public Secondary Schools in Lagos State took their end-of-training exams, covering all modules. This critical assessment allowed us to evaluate how well they have grasped key leadership principles and skills, preparing them to take bold steps as young transformational leaders who will drive positive change in their schools and communities.

We are thrilled to witness their growth and leadership journey!