In commemoration of this year’s International Youth Day, Lagos Food Bank Initiative partnered with LEAP Africa and Dow Africa to host its community of volunteers and guests to an impactful youth-centered seminar to underscore the vital role of young people in fostering a productive and sustainable society. Taking place on the 17th of August 2024 at the Lagos Food Bank’s warehouse, a large number of youth attended the power-packed event to be inspired and motivated by the resourceful speakers who honored the food bank’s invitation to be a part of a change-driven engagement.

The youth seminar was inaugurated with a receptive and stimulating keynote speech from the Founder and Executive Director of Lagos Food Bank Initiative, Dr. Michael Sunbola. Going forward, the seasoned speakers in the personalities of Mr. Bayo Omoboriowo (MFR) of MadHouse, Engr. Kolawole Osinowo of Baobab Plus Nigeria, and Mrs. Temilade Salami of ECO Champions poured down their wealth of knowledge and experience on their volunteering journeys into the minds of the amazing audience while drawing on actionable insights from the theme of the day – “Intersecting Perspectives: Engaging Young People to Develop a Change-Driven Mentality.”

Similarly, the innovative speakers engaged the youthful audience in an interactive panel discussion by pointing to what works through personal experiences and how they – the youths – can position themselves to be resourceful, useful and productive, thereby, acting as agents of positive change for the development of a sustainable society. This session also provided an avenue for the youths to ask questions from each speaker around the topic; “Storytelling – Changing the Narrative By Driving Ideas into Action.”

Complementing the youth day seminar was a youth day of service food distribution at the warehouse where resilient beneficiaries of the Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) received densely-packed food boxes. Also, demonstrating commitment to promoting self-sustainability, the Lagos Food Bank empowered beneficiaries of the Family Farming initiative in Dopemu and Agege communities with resources to kickstart backyard poultry farms. In addition to improving the nutritional status and livelihood of women and households, these outreaches also afforded volunteers and guests the opportunity to experience how much impact their participation in community service can create, and the need to be actively engaged in community development activities.

In summary, the Youth Day of Service program of the Lagos Food Bank Initiative was a resounding success marked by the seminar and panel discussions that left the youths with great motivation which was inspired by the compelling messages delivered by the speakers. Also, the event facilitated valuable networking opportunities among the youths.