International Youth Day: The Power of Mentorship

Every year on the 12th of August, the world comes together to celebrate the energy, passion, and potential of young people. Today, we are particularly excited to honor the incredible youth of Africa. With over 60% of the continent’s population under the age of 25, Africa’s youth represent a wellspring of potential and a key to the continent’s future. However, unlocking this potential requires more than just enthusiasm—it demands guidance, support, and the wisdom of those who have successfully navigated the path before. This is where mentorship becomes essential.

Why Mentorship Matters

Mentorship is a transformative force for young people. It provides the guidance that can make the difference between success and failure. For Africa’s youth, many of whom face challenges such as limited access to quality education and economic barriers, mentorship is not just beneficial—it’s crucial. Mentorship bridges the gap between theory and practice, builds confidence, and equips young people with the skills they need to thrive in the real world.

Mentorship offers the kind of practical, hands-on learning that textbooks can’t provide. It’s about learning from someone who has been there, who understands the landscape, and who can offer insights that are grounded in real-world experience. For young Africans, this kind of support can be life-changing. It not only opens doors to new opportunities but also provides the encouragement and motivation needed to pursue those opportunities with confidence.

Launching the Bemint Alumni Mentorship Program

In celebration of this year’s International Youth Day, we at Empowering African Youth are proud to launch the Bemint Alumni Mentorship Program. This program is designed to match our alumni with industry experts who can provide guidance and support over a six-week period.

For this first cohort of the Bemint Alumni Mentorship Program, six outstanding alumni have been selected to participate. These young individuals, comprising four females and two males, were chosen from a competitive pool of over 80 applicants, all of whom demonstrated remarkable potential and ambition. The selected mentees range in age from 17 to 20 years old and come from diverse academic backgrounds, yet they all share a common drive to excel in their respective fields.

Olalekan Emmanuel Olaoye, a 20-year-old male, is currently a student at the University of Ilorin. His passion lies in software engineering, and he belongs to the Be-Mint Batch Charlie. With a keen interest in the intricacies of coding and technology, Olalekan is eager to further his skills and knowledge through this mentorship program.

Adewale Amoke Celine, an 18-year-old female, is studying at Osun State University. Her academic focus is pharmacology, a field she is deeply committed to pursuing. As a member of the Be-Mint Batch Hotel, Amoke is excited about the opportunity to learn from industry experts who can guide her in making significant contributions to the healthcare sector.

Olorunfemi Oluwatomilade Elizabeth, a 19-year-old female, is enrolled at the Lagos State College of Nursing in Igando. With a dual interest in nursing and photography, Elizabeth brings a unique blend of creativity and compassion to her studies. She is part of the Be-Mint Batch Delta and looks forward to gaining insights that will help her merge her passions into a fulfilling career.

Lydia Solomon Ebunoluwa, also 19 years old, is a student at the University of Lagos. She is driven by her interest in UI/UX design, a field that combines her creativity with her technical skills. As a member of the Be-Mint Batch Foxtrot, Lydia is excited to refine her design expertise and make a meaningful impact in the tech industry.

Alli Uhmu-l-khair Ololade, another 19-year-old female, is studying at Yaba College of Technology. Her career aspirations lie in the cutting-edge fields of mechatronics engineering and race car engineering. A member of the Be-Mint Batch Bravo, Uhmu-l-khair is determined to break barriers in these male-dominated industries and excel in her chosen path.

Lastly, Udehegbunam Justice Favor, a 17-year-old male, is a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His interests are rooted in software development, with an ultimate goal of becoming an entrepreneur. As a member of the Be-Mint Batch Hotel, Justice is eager to gain the entrepreneurial skills and technical knowledge needed to turn his innovative ideas into successful ventures.

Each of these young individuals represents the future of their respective fields, and through the Bemint Alumni Mentorship Program, they will receive the guidance and support necessary to transform their ambitions into reality.

These talented individuals have been matched with some of the best minds in their respective fields, including David Okafor from Lagos Business School, Oluchi from SmartPharm, Amanda from Wadi Africa, Theresa from Okra, Ofon from Coho, and Chineye from Empowering Africans.

A Call to Action: Become a Mentor

While we wish our selected mentees great success in their mentorship journey, we also recognize that there is so much more work to be done. We are calling on professionals across all fields to volunteer as mentors. Your experience and knowledge can make a significant difference in the lives of young Africans, helping to unlock their potential and contribute to sustainable development across the continent. To Join us in this mission and make a lasting impact on the lives of young people send an email to the project manager on  chioma.aniagolu@empoweringafricans.org

Together, we can turn potential into reality and dreams into success. Happy International Youth Day! Let’s continue to empower, guide, and support the youth who will lead Africa into a prosperous future.