Foundation to expand youth empowerment across W’Africa

The Ovie Brume Foundation (OBF) has revealed plans to expand its youth empowerment initiative across Nigeria and West Africa with the establishment of more centres in multiple states and international partnerships.

The foundation also solicited financial support to provide environments where children could develop their potential through various activities beyond academics to generate income.

This was stated recently to mark the 2024 Children’s Day celebration in Lagos, with a focus on promoting inclusivity, underscoring its commitment to expanding opportunities for Nigerian youths.

The Executive Director of OBF, Ese Brume, announced plans to establish youth centres in Oyo, Ogun, Kaduna, Borno, Edo, and Cross River states within the next five years, alongside international partnerships with Cameroon and the Benin Republic to expand the foundation’s reach beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Brume highlighted the critical role of financial and human support in achieving these goals, adding that the foundation’s growth and the establishment of new centres hinge on increased funding.

According to her, the new youth centre in Surulere, for instance, aims to serve 500 students with programmes that include reading, drama, creative projects and practical skills like basket weaving through initiatives such as ‘Project 20 Handson’.

The Chairperson of OBF’s Board of Trustees and former Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Evelyn Oputu, highlighted the transformative impact of the foundation’s work on economically disadvantaged children across the country, noting that thousands benefit from scholarships and educational programmes each year.