The Mastermind Community Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has initiated a programme aimed at equipping young individuals with essential life skills to foster their personal growth and development. This initiative was launched during a one-day sensitisation event held at the Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Senior High School hall in Maryland, Lagos, targeting public school students. The foundation’s President, Vivianne Oghene, highlighted that the programme’s objective is to provide in-school youths with the tools to manage their emotions, cultivate positive relationships, and make informed decisions. The workshop, titled “Mastering Emotional and Social Intelligence for Holistic Success,” has already commenced in five government schools across Lagos. Facilitators involved in the programme are tasked with educating students on the significance of emotional and social intelligence. Oghene called upon the government, corporate entities, and individuals to support and collaborate with the foundation, expressing plans to extend the initiative to additional schools, including private institutions and those in other states. “We are passionate about this initiative, and we believe that it will make a significant impact in the lives of young people,” she stated. During the workshop, Education Quality Specialist and retired director from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos, Adeyemi Adebayo, emphasised the necessity of social and emotional intelligence skills for the proper development and growth of young individuals. He noted that many Nigerian children lack these critical skills, leading to challenges such as peer pressure, cultism, and poor decision-making. Adebayo also stressed the importance of parental involvement, stating, “Parents should talk more to their children. Society has evolved to a point where children need to know the implications of everything they do.” A student participant, Obechina Chinaza, expressed gratitude for the programme, noting that it has provided valuable lessons on managing emotions and building positive relationships with others.
