About the Itsekiri NextGen Project
Itsekiri NextGen is a youth development initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of Itsekiri leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. We believe in investing in the potential of our young people and equipping them with the skills and resources they need to thrive in the 21st century and contribute to a vibrant future for the Itsekiri Nation.
In order to improve the chances of future Itsekiri graduates, we have decided to initiate the project to mentor Itsekiri students in secondary schools, starting with Pessu community as a pilot project before expanding to other communities within Warri Kingdom.
Mentoring can help teenagers as they go through challenging life transitions, including dealing with stressful changes at home or transitioning to adulthood. Close, healthy, supportive relationships between project coordinators and the teenagers that last for a significant portion of time (i.e., more than one year) are central to success. Through consistent exposure, these young people learn from contact with appropriately trained volunteers that they can grow their potential and rise from their circumstances.
Every session at the Itsekiri NextGen is like a blessing with the participants and highly skilled volunteers around.
Itse Mirabel Ukubeyinje — Volunteer
Itsekiri NextGen at a Glance
Mission Statement
Our mission at Itsekiri NextGen is to develop the unique abilities and potential of each child by offering an enriched mentorship program.
We strive for excellence through a hands-on approach focusing on the five pillars of our mission statement which are literary mandate, social and cultural mandate, leadership mandate, digital mandate and economic mandate.
We believe that the rich traditions rooted in our innovative curriculum will grow productive, caring, and intellectually curious Itsekiri youngsters.
Our Core VALUES
We have a culture that is modern, relevant, and inspires participants to have a brighter future. We are determined in our approach to learning, are creative in our thinking, and bold in our ambitions.
Our Approach
We achieve our mission through dynamic Saturday sessions designed to develop our 5 core mandate areas:
- Leadership: Cultivating critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills, empowering young people to become effective leaders in their communities and beyond.
- Digital Skills: Providing training in essential digital literacy, coding, online safety, and the use of technology for learning and innovation.
- Economic Skills: Fostering financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills to enable economic empowerment and self-reliance.
- Social & Cultural Skills: Promoting an understanding and appreciation of Itsekiri history, traditions, language, and values, while developing essential social skills and ethical awareness.
- Literary Skills: Enhancing reading, writing, and communication skills to foster a love of learning and effective self-expression.
Each session is carefully tailored to deliver one or more of these core skills through interactive workshops, engaging activities, and expert guidance.
Our Structure
Itsekiri NextGen is guided by a dedicated Steering Committee composed of accomplished individuals who provide strategic oversight and ensure the project’s alignment with its vision and goals. The project is supported by two dedicated staff members and a passionate team of volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to deliver impactful programs and mentorship.
Our Impact
While our focus is on improving outcomes for Itsekiri young people and their families, we aim to cultivate a strong sense of identity and belonging within Warri Kingdom and the Itsekiri Nation. We inspire them to see themselves as active contributors to their community’s future, carrying forward the legacy of the Itsekiri people with pride and innovation.
