Mandela Fellows rollout contest for students

@LatifatOpoola The Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association Nigeria (MWFAAN) will soon start a national community development and entrepreneurship programme to engage young Nigerians in secondary schools.

A statement said the programme ‘Beyond School Community (BSC)’ Challenge for secondary school students seeks to inspire them to improve their communities through innovative entrepreneurial actions.

Guided by advisors and supported by their schools, the students take an overreaching idea and a handson entrepreneurial approach that empowers people to collectively tackle community development-oriented challenges.

The Vice of President of MWFAAN, Grace Ihejiamaizu said, “Nigeria needs more social innovators and change makers who will take action towards solving problems. The question this Challenge poses to our young ones is: ‘If you could solve one problem in your community, what would it be?’”

The competition is open to all students in the country between age 13 and 18; the five finalist teams will receive invitation to the pitch competition and summit in Lagos. The top three winning teams will receive exciting cash prizes, mentoring and educational grants; a Teacher Prize will be given to the most outstanding and committed teacher, it said.

Students are urged to apply to the contest via the website beyondschoolchallenge. com.