Education
Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: VFD Group’s Perspective for Vision 20
In a world brimming with untapped potential, the need to nurture and empower our youth has never been more pressing. VFD Group, a leading proprietary investment company, recognizes the importance of early mentorship and has embarked on a socially conscious initiative known as Vision 20.
On March 8, the investment company opened its doors to students from Readland Foundation, marking a special celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.
The visit was meticulously designed to provide young girls with invaluable insights into business processes and organisational culture, aiming to ignite their aspirations and fuel their dreams.
Led by esteemed employees and executives, including Niyi Adenubi, Executive Director, Business Development & Investment Management; John Okonkwo, Executive Director, Finance, Risk and Compliance; Morenike Ominike, Chief of Staff to the GMD/CEO and Head, Regulatory Compliance;
Muyiwa Olowoporoku, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications; Nkem Offonabo, Head, Human Resources; Chinenye Ezeh, Treasury Officer; and Elmer Aluge, Soft Power Specialist; representing diverse backgrounds and skill sets within the management team.
The day unfolded with a series of interactive sessions, where students were encouraged to set goals, believe in themselves, and embrace the importance of societal impact.
This visionary program is not merely about empowering young women; it’s about laying the foundation for a brighter, more equitable future.
At its core, Vision 20 is a commitment to fostering gender inclusivity and leadership development, particularly among young women. It’s about providing them with the right tools, resources, and support they need to thrive in a world of limitless possibilities.
Through mentorship from seasoned female executives within VFD Group, Vision 20 pairs aspiring young women with mentors who provide invaluable guidance and knowledge to help them excel in their chosen paths.
But Vision 20 is not just a short-term endeavour; it’s a long-term commitment to tracking the progress and success of these young ladies over the next two decades. This ensures ongoing support and guidance as they navigate the complexities of adulthood and leadership.
The importance of mentoring cannot be overstated. Through Vision 20, VFD Group is not just imparting knowledge and skills to these young women; they’re instilling confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose.
They’re opening doors and expanding horizons, showing these individuals that with determination and support, anything is possible.
The highlight of the mentorship session at VFD Group was a visit to the office of the GMD/CEO, Nonso Okpala. Impressed by the students’ ambitions, Mr Okpala delivered an inspiring message, urging them to think big and pursue their dreams fearlessly.
“Hold on to your dreams and push yourself forward,” he exclaimed. “Remember, when your ambition scares you, that’s when you know you’re on the right path.”
As part of its commitment to empowering young women, VFD Group provided mentorship and seed funding to support their education. The provision of seed funding to each visiting student, presented by the company’s GMD/CEO, underscored the company’s dedication to nurturing future leaders.
In empowering the students of Readland Foundation, VFD Group isn’t merely shaping individual destinies; they’re sculpting the future of our nation.
As these young women embark on their journey, embedded in the unwavering support and belief of VFD Group, we eagerly anticipate witnessing the remarkable achievements and contributions they will undoubtedly make to society.
As Women’s History Month draws to a close, what better way to wrap up this celebration than with VFD Group’s visionary initiative, Vision 20? With the seeds of empowerment planted and the path to leadership set in motion, these young women stand ready to carve out a future where their voices resound with power and their achievements leave an indelible mark on society.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, with 61.54 per cent of candidates obtaining credits in at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The Head of WAEC’s Nigeria National Office, Mr Amos Dangut, announced the results at a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday.
Mr Dangut said 1,200,514 candidates met the benchmark for admission to higher institutions, out of the 1,950,726 candidates who sat the examination nationwide, held between April 24 and June 19.
He said 102,708 examiners were engaged in the marking exercise held at 88 marking venues across the country between 2 July and 20 July.
“Today, I am happy to inform you that all the processes leading to the release of results have been completed. It is now my pleasure to announce the release of the results of candidates who sat the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2026 in Nigeria,” he said, directing candidates to the agency’s portal to access their results.
“UPDATE: 2026 WASSCE (SC) results have been released. Generate your PIN at waec.org and check your results now on waecdirect.org,” the examination body said, noting that candidates must obtain their Serial Number and PIN before they can check their results.
To generate the required credentials, candidates are expected to visit WAEC’s official website and select the “Serial Number and PIN” option at the top of the page.
They are then required to select the appropriate examination year and diet, enter their examination number and National Identification Number (NIN), and ensure that the NIN provided is the same one used during registration for the examination.
Candidates must also provide their email address and phone number to receive a One-Time Password (OTP).
After entering the OTP, candidates can recover their Serial Number and PIN, which they can subsequently use to check their results through WAEC Direct.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Over 200 senior students of Cleggs Girls High School, Surulere, Lagos, were on July 23, 2026, engaged in practical knowledge about the risks associated with smoking, vaping, and shisha.
This engagement was made possible through a collaboration between Breathe Life Foundation and Teach Nigeria Fellow.
Participants were students aged 15–19 years. They were also informed about the misconception that shisha is a safer alternative to cigarettes or other substances.
Through an engaging and interactive discussion, students explored the influence of peer pressure and learned practical strategies for making healthier, more informed lifestyle choices.
They also gained a better understanding of common environmental triggers of asthma and other respiratory conditions, including cigarette smoke, generator fumes, bush burning, mosquito coil smoke, candles, charcoal, and firewood.
The session highlighted an important reality: young people may not always recognise how seemingly routine lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can gradually affect their respiratory health, quality of life, and long-term wellbeing.
For Breathe Life Foundation, this reinforces the importance of shifting the conversation from treatment to prevention through awareness and education.
By equipping young people with the knowledge to identify risks and make healthier choices early, the foundation is helping to build a generation that is more conscious of – and better prepared to protect – its respiratory health.
The organisation said it is dedicated to advancing respiratory health, an often-neglected public health priority. Healthy lungs are essential to life, yet respiratory diseases remain among the world’s leading causes of death and disability, even though many are preventable and treatable.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes, the Obajana Plant of Dangote Cement Plc has distributed some educational materials to some pupils in Kogi State.
The items shared to the beneficiaries included school bags, exercise books, writing materials, water bottles, and other essential learning aids aimed at enhancing the learning experience of the pupils and preparing them for the next academic session.
The General Manager for the Social Performance Department of Dangote Cement at Obajana Plant, Mr Ademola Adeyemi, said the materials were donated days after Dangote Cement distributed similar education materials to pupils in public schools in its catchment communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Obajana and Apata; and commissioned a multi-million-naira hospital in Obajana, which added to the growing list of social investments that includes an earlier hospital project in Iwaa and Oyo Communities.
He noted that, over the years, the company has invested billions of naira in a wide range of social programmes for host communities, including empowerment programmes, road construction, and potable water projects, and it remains resolute in its commitment to sustaining and expanding its interventions.
He noted that the company’s corporate social responsibility programmes are aligned with government development priorities and are implemented through sustained, mutually beneficial partnerships.
“The intervention was informed by findings from a needs assessment conducted by Dangote Cement. During the assessment, it was observed that several pupils attended school without school bags, while others carried their books by hand. It was also discovered that many students lacked essential learning materials such as exercise books, pens, pencils, and other basic learning materials,” the cement firm said.
The Head Teacher of UBE LGEA School, St. Luke Model II, Adankolo, Lokoja Local Government Area, Mr Abubakar Sanni, expressed profound appreciation to the management of Dangote Cement for the gesture.
The Head Teacher expressed gratitude to the Group President of the conglomerate, Aliko Dangote, for extending the company’s educational support programme beyond its host and impacted communities to schools located at the state headquarters.
The beneficiaries, school management, parents, and community stakeholders expressed gratitude to Dangote Cement for the timely intervention and prayed for the continued growth and success of the company in its efforts to improve lives and support sustainable community development.
