ExxonMobil, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the international NGO Africare have launched a youth development program partnership in Abuja.
The project, known as NBA Power Forward, focuses on developing life skills and raising public health awareness among high school youth.
According to the partners, Power Forward program would teach and mentor 300 students from 10 secondary schools annually in Abuja on the game of basketball.
This is the fourth year of the program, which teaches health literacy and life skills such as leadership, respect and personal responsibility through basketball and another programming to positively impact Nigerian secondary school students.
Last year, the participating students executed 60 community projects and interacted with over 6,000 people within and outside the school communities. They also distributed over 2,000 long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN).
This year, the target is to reach 10,000 youth in school and vulnerable communities with life skills information, distribute 6,000-bed nets, establish 20 hand wash stations to promote hygiene and promote exemplary leadership skills.
Participating students are drawn from 10 secondary schools in Abuja. These are: Model Secondary School, Maitama; Rahinna Model College, Jikwoyi; Raberto Schools, Wuse II; Divine Mercy Secondary School, Asokoro; Glisten International School, Jabi; Bicardos International School, Kubwa; Government Secondary School, Karu; Government Secondary School Zone 3, Government Secondary School, Garki ;and Government Secondary School, Airport.
