As part of efforts to avail Nigerian and African children vital career information and exposure, a nonprofit organization - Juvenile Career Education (JuCE) Africa - is set to launch its holistic approach to improving and complimenting the child education system across the continent.
The launch will be done virtually via Zoom https://tinyurl.com/JuCEAfrica, on March 30th, 2024 and Nigerian and African schools, children, parents, and institutions are invited to participate free of charge.
JuCE was incorporated in October 2023 with the aim of providing guidance via career information, exposure and direction to secondary school students in Nigeria.
Speaking on the initiative, the Founder, Adaeze Montserrat Okeke, noted that the need for JuCE is driven by the fact that the Nigerian educational system expects children to make major career decisions at a young age without the necessary exposure and mentorship.
This project is intrinsically linked to two causes I care deeply about; children and education. So, I am deeply excited that this project is finally at a stage I can share it with the world and hopefully get the world to share in the execution of this vision.
Our inaugural year 2024 is packed with exciting insights for children on how to choose a career, how to start preparing for university - and no, it doesn’t start from SS3 or even senior school! Global competitors start grooming their kids for global opportunities as young as 8 years old, she said.
The Founder also shared that an Educational Psychologist, Chika Ehirim-Nmor will be speaking at the launch; lending her professional credence to the necessity of the vision of the NGO.
Over the course of the year, JuCE Africa will also be spotlighting some professions by having young professionals in medicine, law, tech and the creative industry, amongst others share their journeys into those professions, and how the Nigerian child can position themselves for careers in that field in the future.
With a vision to prepare young ones for the future, JuCE will share with the Nigerian child the impact of globalization, technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution on today’s professions, positioning them for tomorrow’s realities.
We want the Nigerian child to be globally relevant but also nationally conscious to contribute to building a better Nigeria in and outside of Nigeria, Adaeze remarked.
She emphasised that by providing the Nigerian secondary school child access to career guidance and mentorship by young professionals in all walks of life, and open days and internships with companies, JuCE will provide the much needed insight and guidance which will help the Nigerian child navigate their career choices.
We also provide guidance through our University Preparation Programme (UPP) preparing our children for global university opportunities. The vision of JuCE is to to see an Africa where children’s career paths are intentionally thought through, developed and chosen to set them up to excel in their desired paths, she added.
To learn more about JuCE Africa, its mission and upcoming activities, visit its website juceafrica.org
