By Adeola Ogunlade
As part of its commitment to empowering local communities, Virtues Life Foundation recently launched the NextGen initiative, a programme specifically designed to equip and empower children.
The initiative, launched with a focus on leadership and talent development, reflects a deep commitment to community growth and youth empowerment
The programme held during the summer break, catered to children aged 8 to 17. It offered sessions on leadership, talent development, graphic design, and coding, highlighting the significance of evolving with the times.
Speaking at the event, President of Virtues Life Foundation, Rev Dr Alexander Faranpojo emphasized the importance of investing in the younger generation to secure a positive future.
“The future is in the hands of the younger generation. If we don’t control that narrative, they risk absorbing negative influences from society,” he stated. The NextGen initiative is a direct response to this challenge, aiming to guide children and teenagers towards a productive and fulfilling future.
“Talent is essential, but it’s not enough. We need to guide them towards the future,” he said.
Faranpojo, who is also the Senior Pastor of Virtues Christian Centre explained that the initiative quickly gained traction within the community. Initially, only a dozen children attended, but as word spread, the number grew, with many more seeking to join. However, due to space limitations, the programme could only accommodate 32 participants.
“We had to turn some children down because of the capacity of our space,” Reverend Faranpojo explained, reflecting on the overwhelming response.
In addition to the educational sessions, the programme also emphasized practical applications of the skills learned. Participants were introduced to the world of artificial intelligence, understanding its everyday applications, from Siri to Google Maps. “AI is already a part of our lives, and it’s important for the children to understand that” he added.
Faranpojo posited that the programme’s success has led to discussions about continuing the initiative, possibly expanding it to allow more children to benefit. While there are no immediate plans to make NextGen an annual event, Rev Faranpojo expressed openness to the idea, depending on the resources available.
The cleric opined that the initiative also touched on the role of parents and the community in shaping the future of the youth.
Rev Faranpojo emphasized the need for collective responsibility in guiding children, highlighting that the church’s role is not just to preach but to actively engage in community development. “Community development is the very essence of what the gospel represents,” he said.
Mrs. Fumilola Faranpojo, who co-pastors with Rev Faranpojo, also spoke about the impact of the programme said that the initiative was not only about learning but also about fun and personal growth. The children were engaged in debates, presentations, and projects that helped them discover and develop their talents.
“It was a level playing ground for all of them. They were able to meet other children from every walk of life,” she remarked.
The NextGen initiative stands as a testament to the power of community engagement and the church’s role in shaping the future. Reverend Faranpojo and his team have shown that by investing in the younger generation, we can create a brighter, more responsible future for all