EmogInspiration

Ajegunle... 2025

Yesterday I had the opportunity of spending sometime with
the Program Manager’s of Paradigm Initiative ‘Ajegunle.org’
on their orientation ceremony for the new batch of 50 young
people who are being trained in basic ICT skills and
entrepreneurship. Its an interesting program that aims at
empowering the youths in Ajegunle to be able to confront the
challenges of everyday life especially in a place like Ajegunle.

The first thing that comes to your mind when the name Ajegunle
is mentioned is a slum, poverty and crime. But more than what
you’ve heard and what seems to be associated with Aj city is that
the people especially the youths desperately look forward to the
reality of a better day. They are not just paying lip service to it,
but are actually working towards it.

The brain behind the Paradigm Initiative, Gbenga Sesan was
there to deliver words of encouragement as well as ensure the
continuation and expansion of this program to other Local Govt
areas within and outside Lagos. His commitment as well as the
team is unparalleled and you could see their genuine desire to
make the much needed change in Ajegunle via the development
of their ICT and entrepreneurial skills.

The program will run for a couple of weeks and the participants
will be trained and issued certificates. There will also be a follow
up by the program managers. A very important part of the training
is that you will not be issued a certificate except you have passed
on your training to at least 5 more people. This pay-it-forward
system actually blows my mind. This actually means that, for every
one person they teach, they actually teach six.

This is not the first time I’m going to Ajegunle. I was invited to
speak at the uncommon man network, another network
pioneered and run by Praise Fowowe, a truly uncommon man.
They are also helping the youths live their true potentials. They
discuss burning issues in the minds of youth. Issues ranging from
finance, success, sex, amongst others and proffer solutions that
help them live better lives.

This is a cause what living for, helping people become better,
giving hope to the hopeless and bringing good news to the poor.
I believe these great men are doing a lot in adding value to people
who actually need it. What we need to move this nation forward
is love. Lets show love to someone today, you never know how
far that show of love will go in changing a life.

I will like to use this medium to appreciate Gbenga Sesan and his
team as well as Praise Fowowe and the uncommon man network
and all others doing similar things in this regard all over the world.
Your reward is here on earth and you will surely reap the fruit of
your labor.