The Forerunner Welfare Foundation (FWF) , has graduated 57 young professionals from its Next Gen-Ideate, NGI 2024 Cohort Programme.
The maiden Graduation and Send Off Ceremony, held at Professor Musa Abdul Civic Centre, University of Ibadan Central Mosque, was attended by members of the foundation from far and near, professionals, and scholars from different fields.
The FWF, which evolved from the University of Ibadan Muslim Brotherhood, UIMB, is a not-for-profit body of Muslim graduates of the University of Ibadan who operate in different spheres of human endeavours .
Chief Moderator of FWF, Engr. Ganiyu Babatunde explained that the NextGen-Ideate, NGI was aimed at bringing young people together and mentoring them on how to survive and excel in the society.
He encouraged the mentees to actively apply and utilize the knowledge and skills they have learned, as the practical application was crucial for their professional development.
Earlier in his welcome address, FWF Board of Trustee Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Hammed, said the mentor-mentee relationship precludes a one-off affair, saying it is something to be nurtured to the point that today’s mentees become tomorrow’s mentors.
He maintained that NGI has the potential to be the desired catalyst to bridge the gap and empower the young ones to contribute meaningfully to
national development.
“It is no longer an idea that will not die; we will nurture it to become a movement to drive positive change for generations in Nigeria and beyond. It is not about FWF anymore; it is about us, it’s about the Ummah’.
The Next Gen-Ideate, NGI Programme Director, Dr Tunji Owoseni, said
the scheme was aimed at cultivating a dynamic
community of Muslims, where finalist students of higher institutions of learning, fresh graduates,
and early career professionals could come together to learn, grow, and create their future and sustainable paths.
“This informs the slogan for the scheme—NGI, …going
further together.”
He explained that apart from creating interactions between experienced mentors and upcoming
mentees, the NGI serves as a vibrant networking platform
dedicated to supporting the personal and professional development of the participants.
Delivering their lectures, the CEO, Vanguard Pharmacy, Pharm. Taofik Odukoya, and the Group Head, Retail & SME (South-West), Lotus Bank, Alhaji Saheed Amoo emphasized that career development provides a clearer roadmap to success.
The duo explained that mentorship is about guidance, wisdom, and support , urging the mentees to be resilient and adaptive in any situation they find themselves .
In his remarks, the Chief Imam, University of Ibadan, Professor Abdul Rahman Oloyede, applauded the members of the FWF for the good job of giving back to their alma mater, urging them to always remember Islam in all thier endeavours.
In her valedictory speech, the best mentee of the year, Miss Alimot Otun, expressed gratitude to the foundation, the mentors, and facilitators, adding that the NGI programme had reshaped the minds of the mentees and had ignited an enduring passion to pursue their vision with focus.
Other outstanding mentees who received awards are Mr Shehu Salahudeen and Miss Aisha Alao.
