Masterminds Community Foundation inspires teens to read, grow, lead
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Masterminds Community Foundation has taken its campaign for youth empowerment to several secondary schools in Lagos, encouraging teenagers to cultivate the habit of reading and develop skills for personal growth and leadership.
The Foundation recently visited Obanikoro Baptist High School, Lagos State Senior High School and Wasimi Community Senior High School where it donated inspirational books and engaged students in discussions on emotional intelligence, self-development and lifelong learning.
According to the Founder of the Foundation, Vivian Oghene, the outreach programme was designed to inspire young people to take deliberate steps toward improving their lives through consistent learning and positive habits.
She explained that the initiative also builds on the Foundation’s Emotional and Social Intelligence Awareness Campaign conducted in 2025, which focused on equipping young people with life skills needed to overcome challenges and build resilience.
Speaking during the visit to the schools, Oghene encouraged the students to understand the power of discipline and small daily habits.
“Just one hour a day, only four per cent of your time can change your life,” she said. “If you dedicate that time to learning and self-development every day, in ten years that small habit can put you far ahead of others.”
To reinforce the reading culture among the students, the Foundation donated several carefully selected books aimed at inspiring leadership, financial literacy and personal development.
The books distributed include The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey, Gifted Hands by Ben Carson, Think Big also by Carson, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki, and The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.
Oghene noted that the books were carefully chosen because of their practical lessons on character building, financial wisdom, discipline and positive thinking.
“These books are more than stories; they are roadmaps that can help young people develop confidence, build a growth mindset and understand how to pursue success responsibly,” she said.
As part of efforts to sustain the initiative beyond the school visits, the Foundation also launched a Virtual Masterminds Teens Community where participating students can interact, discuss books, receive mentorship and engage in activities aimed at strengthening leadership capacity and emotional intelligence.
Through the online platform, students are encouraged to dedicate at least one hour each day to reading while sharing insights with their peers and mentors.
Education advocates say such initiatives are crucial in a time when many young people face distractions that limit reading culture and personal development.
By promoting reading, mentorship and emotional intelligence among teenagers, the Masterminds Community Foundation hopes to nurture a generation of young Nigerians equipped with the knowledge, discipline and leadership values needed to make meaningful contributions to society.
Oghene emphasised that investing in young people today is one of the most effective ways to build a better future.
According to her, simple acts such as giving books, guidance and encouragement can inspire teenagers to discover their potential and develop the confidence needed to pursue their dreams.
She concluded that the Foundation remains committed to expanding the programme to more schools across Lagos and beyond, ensuring that more young people benefit from opportunities that encourage learning, resilience and leadership.
