Millennium fellows empowers Modakeke students through skill training and mental health awareness

By Matthew Ogunwale

A remarkable display of collaboration and purpose, a team of Millennium fellows organised an inter-school skill training and empowerment program for secondary school students in Modakeke, Osun State, promoting mental health awareness, creativity, and innovation among young learners.

The event, held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Smart Thinkers Group of Schools in Olosrunsogo 2, Oke Otubu Area, Esuyare, Modakeke, brought together students, teachers, and facilitators for a full day of inspiring lectures and practical workshops. The focus was on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

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The collaborative project aimed to help students develop self-awareness, emotional balance, and employable skills while inspiring them to think innovatively about their futures.

Collaboration for Greater Impact

The motivation behind their teamwork was shared by the three fellows, Timothy Aiyelagbe, Olanipekun Marvellous, and Ekundayo Tinuoluwa, who expressed a common vision to make a more profound impact through unity.

‘We realised that our projects complemented one another.’ Marvellous Mental health, innovation, and financial empowerment are interconnected. You can’t achieve one effectively without the others.”

Tinuoluwa added, ‘Working hand in hand with the same purpose and goal helped us reach more students and create a stronger impact.’

For Timothy, the collaboration was a powerful demonstration of collective strength: ‘One person can go a mile, but three can go ten miles. Together, we have inspired young minds to see beyond their limitations.’

Building Awareness on Mental Health and Well-being

The program commenced with Timothy Aiyelagbe leading an engaging session on SDG 3 – Mental Health and Well-being. He emphasised that a sound mind is crucial for academic and life success, encouraging students to prioritise their mental and emotional health.

‘The state of your mind determines your level of success,’ he stated. ‘If your mental health is poor, your performance suffers. Learn to rest, eat well, and balance your study schedule.’

Joining him was Afolarin Joy, who highlighted everyday challenges students face, from exam stress to peer pressure, and urged them to speak up and seek help when they feel overwhelmed. ‘Your mental health is just as important as your grades,’ she reminded them.

Career and Innovation: Unlocking Hidden Potential

The second session, emphasising Olanipekun Marvellous, focused on SDG 9 – Career and Innovation under the theme ‘Unlock Your Potential.’ He challenged students to discover their unique talents and align them with meaningful career goals.

‘Secondary school is a formative stage,’ Marvellous explained. ‘This is the right time to nurture your skills and prepare for the future.’

He also shared insights from his personal project aimed at fostering innovation and creativity among students. ‘Even the teachers said they haven’t had such an enlightening program in a long time,’ he noted. ‘Now, many students are interested in learning skills like photography and crocheting that can shape their futures.’

Hands-On Skill Training: Photography and Crocheting

Following the lectures, students participated in two practical workshops, photography and crocheting, where they received hands-on training.

In the photography workshop, facilitated by Mr Gbenga, students learned the fundamentals of capturing great images, from understanding light and composition to framing and creativity. ‘Photography is drawing with light,’ he told them. ‘Good lighting and steady hands make all the difference.’

Simultaneously, Miss Oluwanifemi conducted the crochet class, introducing students to basic stitching and pattern techniques using hooks and yarn. The session emphasised the importance of patience, creativity, and the potential to turn this craft into a source of income.

The workshops inspired many students, with several expressing interest in continuing to develop these skills beyond the classroom.

Digital Empowerment and Financial Education

To conclude the event, Ekundayo Tinuoluwa, a Millennium Fellow from the Faculty of Education and English at Obafemi Awolowo University, delivered a session on ‘Leveraging Digital Skills to Finance Education,’ addressing SDGs 1, 4, and 8.

She explained how students can brand themselves, market their skills, and utilise the digital space to earn income while studying. ‘Having a skill is good,’ she said, ‘but learning how to present it and use digital tools to grow is even better.’

Her practical examples and relatable experiences motivated the students to think creatively about education and entrepreneurship.

Students Share Their Experiences

Participants expressed excitement and gratitude for the training.

Matthew Onanuga (SS2 Science) said, ‘I learned that we should pursue our goals, be creative, develop digital skills, and maintain good mental health. I’m grateful to the organisers.’

Akinoye Eniola (SS1 science) shared, ‘I learned about mental health and innovation, and I also learned how to crochet, specifically, how to make money from it.’

Ayinde Oluwatemileyin (SS1), who joined the photography class, commented, ‘I learned how to take clear and simple photos. I’m thankful, I didn’t know we would have a session like this.’

Ayobami Praise (JSS 3) added, ‘We learned about career innovation and crocheting, focusing on the steps to make neat rolls. Thank you to the organisers for this opportunity.’

Teachers Commend the Initiative

Teachers at Smart Thinkers Group of Schools praised the Fellows for their impactful work and the positive influence it had on students. Many expressed their hope for similar initiatives in the future.
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‎Mr Popoola Azeez Olarewaju, Assistant Administrative Officer, described the event as ‘both entertaining and educational.’ He added, ‘This community has longed for a programme like this. It’s refreshing to see students exposed to ideas that prepare them for a global future.’
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‎Mr Adeyemo Samuel, an English teacher, also commended the team: ‘This kind of training will help our children academically and personally. It’s something we would love to see again.’