In a remarkable display of leadership and compassion, mentees of the Zion Oshiobugie Mentorship Program—including Israel Omote, Ajoko Omolade, Treasure Edeguafe, Mrs. Oluchi Azuka, Chukwu Felicity, Nancy Okiemute, Alexander Idowu, Okudor Miracle, Oghotomo Glory, and Victoria Cobham Bassey—empowered over 300 orphaned and underprivileged children through the inspiring “Gift a Future” initiative in the Iyara community of Warri, Delta State.
The outreach, held at CleverMinds Free Nursery and Primary School, provided children with school bags, notebooks, stationery, and motivational support, ensuring that every child feels valued in their educational journey. Guests, volunteers, and supporters joined the event, witnessing firsthand the hope being restored to vulnerable children through this purpose-driven youth initiative.
This achievement reflects the transformative leadership approach championed by Mr. Zion Oshiobugie, founder of CleverMinds Educational Foundation, author of *Starting Your NGO: How to Start, Grow & Get Funding for Your NGO*, and the visionary behind the Zion Oshiobugie Youth Mentorship Program.
The year-long mentorship program is designed to help young Nigerians aged 16 to 25 discover, develop, and apply their talents in ways that positively impact society. Participants progress through a structured four-phase model—Discover, Develop, Design, and Deploy—emphasizing self-awareness, leadership, skill-building, community engagement, and life planning. The program also provides full sponsorship for JAMB registration, paid internships, support for obtaining international passports, and mentorship from industry professionals.
Through this mentorship, participants are guided to turn personal growth into meaningful public service. Initiatives like *Gift a Future* allow mentees to put their learning into practice, directly impacting communities in tangible ways.
“We are not raising spectators,” Mr. Oshiobugie emphasized. “We are raising solution-bringers—young people who know their worth and are ready to serve their generation.”
The management of CleverMinds Free Nursery and Primary School expressed deep gratitude for the support, highlighting that many beneficiaries are children who have faced trauma, extreme poverty, and the risk of dropping out. CleverMinds currently provides free education, daily meals, STEM-focused learning, psychosocial support, and a school farm to promote sustainability, helping to break cycles of poverty one child at a time.
Mr. Oshiobugie continues to run his mentorship and educational programs in both the UK and Nigeria, ensuring that the impact of empowerment crosses borders. By 2027, CleverMinds plans to establish a full orphanage home, and by 2035, the goal is to reach 20,000 children across Africa.
“When young people take ownership of community transformation, we start to see the Africa we dream of,” he noted.
The *Gift a Future* initiative marks just the beginning. Supporters can contribute by funding education and meals, sponsoring mentorship and youth development programs, partnering on community transformation projects, or volunteering their expertise. These collective efforts help guarantee that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has a future worth celebrating.
Zion Oshiobugie is a youth development leader, educator, and mentor whose journey from domestic help to national changemaker continues to inspire many. Recognized for his work with young people and his role as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Edo State, he remains committed to cultivating a generation of responsible, capable, and visionary Nigerian leaders poised to transform their communities and make a global impact.
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