By IJEOMA UKAZU
As part of its mission to empower young person’s, giving them the avenue to gain the ability and authority to make informed decisions and implement change in their society, Nestlé Nigeria has launched a youth mentoring program.
The program is fulfilling its mission on youth empowerment targeting secondary schools students and powered by Nestlé Cares -the company’s global employee volunteering program.
The mentoring program which aims to reach over 10,000 JSS2, SS1 and SS2 students in public secondary schools across the country with training on life values and life skills is delivered in collaboration with REVAMP Africa, a youth-focused non-profit organization with the vision to revive educational values and maximize potential among young people, especially in public secondary schools.
Starting with over 1,000 students of the Ilupeju Secondary School, in Lagos, in July 2021, Nestlé Cares volunteers have extended the program to the Company’s host communities in Sagamu and Abaji, reaching over 2,000 students at the Owode High School, Obafemi Owode in Ogun State and at the Government Secondary School, Abaji over a 4-week period.
According to Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, “Nestlé Cares, provides employees the opportunity to make an impact in local communities. It is a proven fact that good habits formed at a young age, set the tone for a productive, successful future.
Through the Mentorship Program developed in collaboration with REVAMP Africa, we are happy to make a difference by helping young Nigerians in secondary schools to imbibe the values that would equip them as a future generation of transformational leaders.”
“We are delighted to see how passionate our employees are to engage with the young people, teaching them the benefits of having the right values. We also teach the youth how to handle peer pressure, interpersonal relationships, time management and goal setting.
In addition, we teach them the benefits of healthy nutrition which is key to a healthy life.
Speaking on the collaboration with Nestlé, the Founder, REVAMP Africa, Kelechi Anyalechi said”We are a youth-focused non-profit organization with the vision to revive educational values and
maximize potential among young people, especially in public secondary schools. We are raising leaders, who will transform their communities, country, Africa and the world.
We are always so inspired to see the turn-out of Nestlé employees which demonstrates their strong commitment to making a difference in society. In addition to Lagos, Sagamu and Abaji, we will be extending the mentoring program to public secondary schools in Enugu, Port-Harcourt, Jos, Kaduna, Agbara and Abuja reaching over 10,000 students in the coming months.
Recounting her experience during the four weeks of the mentoring program, Akinwale Temitope, a student of SS1 C in Ilupeju secondary school said, “I learnt a lot about values. The value that stood out most for me was humility, the quality of modesty. I also learnt about setting goals, time management and self-reliance. Thank you, Nestlé Cares and Revamp Africa, for the opportunity to learn.”
Commenting on the program, the principal of Ilupeju Secondary School Mr. Adeoye B. Adebowale said “I want to thank Nestlé for coming to mentor our students, and for helping us and the government add value to the younger generation. Our mission is to be the foremost school where academics with high moral values are achieved. This mentoring program reiterates what we do and what we believe in.”
Victoria Uwadoka reaffirmed that Nestlé Cares Employee Volunteer Program will continue to provide opportunities for Nestlé employees to give back to society by offering their time, talent and resources while impacting individuals and families, communities, and the environment.