Youths and Young Adults have been charged to embrace volunteerism as a way to enhance their personal development, nation-building, and environmental sustainability.
This was the submission of stakeholders and volunteers at a Community Clean-Up exercise organized by the MOFE Foundation in conjunction with the Association of Landlords and Occupiers of Lakeshore/Sparklight Estate and other partners.
Convener of MOFE Foundation, Engr. Mrs. Funmi Akingbagbohun emphasized the broader benefits of volunteerism, such as fostering social connections and strengthening community ties.
“This initiative is not just about cleaning; it’s about creating opportunities for young people to meet, interact, and develop a sense of belonging within their community,” she explained.
She also pinpointed the declining culture of volunteerism among young people, stressing that in previous generations, community service was an integral part of everyday life. She compared the current state of volunteerism in Nigeria to European systems, where unpaid service is a recognized criterion for scholarships and career development.
“In many parts of the world, volunteer work—whether babysitting, cleaning, or assisting in workplaces—is documented and valued. People are even asked to record the number of hours they dedicate to volunteer service,” she said.
Engr. Mrs. Akingbagbohun further lamented the erosion of communal values that once defined African societies, where neighbors collectively raised children and maintained their environments. According to her, the increasing focus on individualism has led to youth disengagement, contributing to societal issues such as idleness and lack of responsibility.
The Convener emphasized the significance of instilling responsibility in young people, recalling how past generations grew up with daily household chores like sweeping, which helped instill discipline and work ethic.
“Today, many young people struggle with basic tasks like holding a broom properly because they have never had to use one. In our time, sweeping was a daily routine before school, but now, youth are disconnected from such responsibilities,” she observed.
The Chairman of the Lakeshore Estates Community Development Association, Mr. Kayode Oshinuga, highlighted the need for young people to embrace service-oriented initiatives rather than focusing solely on financial gain.
“We must appreciate what MOFE Foundation is doing and what they have done in the past. They are taking youth engagement a notch higher by teaching them the rudiments of volunteerism, which is rare in our society but essential for any meaningful development,” he stated.
Mr. Oshinnuga also reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with organizations that promote youth development and community service.
He urged young people to embrace a mindset of service and self-improvement, emphasizing that the reward of volunteerism lies in the experience and opportunities it creates for future growth.
Also, President of the National Institute of Black Engineers, Lagos Technical Professional, Engineer Adebaye Majonagbe, said while organized volunteerism may not have always been a structured part of African culture, communal efforts were deeply embedded in traditional societies.
He recalled how, in the past, elders would gather to clear bushy roads leading to farms or maintain shared spaces—a practice that exemplified early community development.
“Our ancestors understood the value of working together. They would set aside days to clear roads and clean the environment, ensuring that the community remained habitable. This was a fundamental part of their way of life,” he explained.
However, Engineer Majonagbe lamented that the advent of modern technology and Western influences had led to a decline in communal participation. He urged Nigerians to reclaim this lost culture, stressing that no external force would develop their communities for them.
“We have embraced foreign cultures at the expense of our own. The truth remains nobody will build our communities for us. We must take responsibility for making our environment clean, safe, and livable,” he said.
The Programme’Director at MOFE Foundation, Eyiwunmi Kolawole gave an overview of the Foundation’s activities, noting that MOFE, which stands for Mojisola Olayinka Fatungase Edema, is dedicated to improving communities across Nigeria through environmental conservation, education, health and wellness initiatives, and community development.
According to Kolawole, the Foundation operates on a free-service model, where volunteers donate their time and talents to improve their surroundings. “The future belongs to our youth and teenagers. Encouraging them to volunteer helps build a culture of selfless service,” she stated.
On her part, the Programme Manager, Modupe Alao-Sanni, said the foundation provides opportunities for teenagers and young adults to engage in community service while gaining valuable skills for personal and professional growth.
”Beyond community service, MOFE Foundation offers structured volunteering programmes that track hours of service. Volunteers who complete 100 hours of service receive a certificate of volunteerism, which can be used for scholarship applications, CV enhancement, and portfolio building.
Alao-Sanni also highlighted the foundation’s educational and literacy initiatives, which include free training programmes in AutoCAD, coding, and other digital skills. “These trainings are open to volunteers, and the hours spent learning also count toward their total volunteering hours,” she explained.
Several volunteers at the clean-up exercise expressed their satisfaction with MOFE Foundation’s work, stressing the need to instill a culture of volunteerism in Nigerian society.
Mrs. Lambo Oluwabunmi, a dedicated member of the foundation, emphasized the various forms of volunteering, including environmental sanitation, educational initiatives, and skill training, all of which play a crucial role in fostering development.
“We need to change the mindset that only the government is responsible for making a difference. Every individual has a role to play in building their community.”, she said
Another foundation member, Darwin Ekenachima, reinforced the importance of environmental responsibility, noting that improper waste disposal contributes to pollution, poor sanitation, and food insecurity.
“This clean-up exercise is a way of giving back to the Earth. If we keep our surroundings clean, we create a healthier environment for ourselves,” he explained.
Volunteer Tosin Tejimola echoed these sentiments, pointing out that Nigeria needs to place greater focus on waste management. “Neglecting waste management leads to flooding and environmental degradation, including ozone layer depletion,” she said. “This initiative is a great step toward raising awareness and encouraging better environmental practices.”