Unfiltered 2.5: Guiding Young Minds Through Change and Choice

Nkuzhi Learning Foundation has organized workshops and camps for teenagers and young adults since 2016. Over the years, the foundation has used these leadership camps to guide young people in making sensible decisions, building character, and preparing for adulthood.

In the same spirit, Nküzhi Learning Foundation has again carried on with this initiative and has partnered with Bridge Edge Consultancy and Legacies Ltd with sponsorship from Titita Foundation at this years Unfiltered 2.5 Let’s talk sex, self-control and The Power of the mind.

The event, which brought together students, mentors, and facilitators, offered a safe and interactive space for candid discussions on sex education, self-control, and the power of the human mind.

Nkuzhi Learning Foundation

At the heart of the programme was a simple but powerful framework: grounding conversations about life and growth in both faith and science. The session opened with a reflection on the Original Framework of Creation as found in the Bible and Quran.

Drawing from the story of Adam and Eve, Mrs. Ijeoma Uwakwe Okoronkwo founder of Nküzhi Learning Foundation and initiator of the unfiltered series reminded the participants that human life was created with intention and purpose. From this foundation, she guided the students into a deeper conversation about the human life cycle, anatomy, and the changes that come with adolescence.

Nkuzhi Learning Foundation

“We focused on what hormones are and how they affect growth,” she explained. “Change is inevitable, and learning how to embrace your growing body is essential.” She addressed issues such as hormonal rage—anger, isolation, crying, and defiance and shared coping strategies to help young people manage these natural but often overwhelming experiences.

The session also emphasized the beauty of sex in its proper context and the importance of developing a healthy sense of self during formative years. Students were encouraged to ask questions freely, helping to create an atmosphere of openness and trust.

Adding depth to the programme were four mentors and facilitators who shared lessons from their own journeys and professional expertise:

Imani Abubakar-Fari, a past participant turned mentor, spoke on the theme “There is a Time for Everything,” reminding participants that patience and discipline are vital during the season of youth.

Fisayo Onigbogi, also a mentor, delivered a powerful talk titled “Power Over Pressure,” encouraging the children to rise above peer influence and external expectations.

Daniel Waya, who passed through the initiative and returned as a mentor, underscored the “Importance of Mentorship,” stressing that guidance from experienced voices can help young people make better choices and avoid costly mistakes.

James I. Sambo, a seasoned communication expert and facilitator, provided practical guidance on how effective communication and self-expression can help young people navigate conflicts, manage emotions, and build healthy relationships.

One of the day’s highlights came from Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Elizabeth Abayomi, Educational Psychologist, international assessor, mentor, and the lead facilitator at Bridge-Edge Consultancy and Legacies Ltd. In her session, “Sex, Self-Control & The Power of Your Mind,” she reminded participants that the ultimate goal was not simply to talk about sex but to empower them to make intentional choices.

“Your mind is the control center of your life,” she told the students. “Whatever you master here, you master in your future.”

Her interactive session included a guided visualization exercise where students were asked to imagine themselves five years into the future reflecting on the choices that led them there and the distractions they had to let go of. The activity challenged them to think beyond the present and take responsibility for the paths they were charting.

To reinforce the lessons, participants worked on Personal Challenge Cards, writing down one boundary or commitment they were ready to make. They also took part in an Affirmation Circle, boldly declaring statements such as “I have the power to…,” “My worth is not defined by…,” and “I am choosing to…”

Dr. Abayomi also introduced what she called the 3 Cs—Chances, Choices, and Consequences. She emphasized that while opportunities come to everyone, it is the choices made that determine the outcomes, and every choice carries consequences. The challenge, she said, was for young people to choose wisely and own their decisions with courage and resilience.

Throughout the programme, respect, confidentiality, and non-judgment formed the ground rules, ensuring that participants felt safe enough to engage honestly. The children, many of whom came in unsure or hesitant, left with a renewed sense of confidence and clarity.

For most, the biggest takeaway was that they were not alone. They could breathe, ask questions without shame, and realize that self-control, guided mentorship, and a disciplined mind could keep them out of trouble and set them on a path toward purpose.

By blending faith-based principles, psychological insight, mentorship, and communication skills, Unfiltered 2.5 powered by Nkuzhi Learning Foundation & Bridge-Edge Consultancy and Legacies Ltd once again fulfilled its mission: shaping the next generation to see change not as something to fear, but as a stepping stone to becoming the best version of themselves.