AKINSINDE ADEOLA OYINDAMOLA
By combining philanthropy with practical skills training, Miss Universe Nigeria contestant Eno Tomiwa Idungafa has put smiles on the faces of pupils of Ikosi Primary School, Lagos, ahead of the 2026/2027 academic session.
For Eno Tomiwa Idungafa, giving back to society is not about the size of the gesture but the impact it makes in the lives of those who receive it.
That philosophy came alive on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, when Idungafa, one of the contestants in the forthcoming Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, joined forces with the Mayoress of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, to support pupils of Ikosi Primary School ahead of the new academic session.
The initiative provided back-to-school gift items to about 20 pupils, giving them a much-needed boost as they prepared to return to the classroom.
But Idungafa’s intervention went beyond the distribution of school materials.
A Political Science graduate, holder of a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Greenwich, London, and an MBA recipient, she organised a twin-impact programme designed not only to support the children’s immediate educational needs but also to expose them to practical skills.
As part of the programme, some children from the LCDA participated in a hands-on skills workshop where they were introduced to needle-and-thread crafts, equipping them with basic creative and vocational skills that could potentially become valuable tools in the future.
The atmosphere was one of excitement as the pupils received their gifts. Their faces lit up with smiles as they expressed appreciation to Idungafa and the Mayoress for the gesture.
Addressing the children, Idungafa, an Akwa Ibom State-born former staff member of the National Assembly and an investment adviser, urged them to take their education seriously and remain focused on building a positive future.
She also encouraged the pupils to embrace humility, kindness and friendship, stressing the importance of treating one another with respect.
The Mayoress, Princess Bada, despite her busy schedule, made a brief appearance at the event and used the opportunity to remind the children that education remains a major pathway to achieving their ambitions in life.
She urged them to stay away from social vices capable of damaging their future and bringing embarrassment to their families.
For Idungafa, however, the intervention represents a much bigger mission.
As she prepares to return to the Miss Universe Nigeria stage this September, her advocacy centres on access to education for all genders, with a deliberately broad definition of what education means.
To her, education goes beyond universities, certificates and academic degrees. It includes fashion design, technology, interior design, trade skills, art, music and every legitimate pathway through which young people can discover and develop their talents.
Her message is straightforward: talent is not rare; opportunity is.
And when talented young people are denied opportunity, she believes the consequences can extend far beyond the individual, resulting in frustration, confusion and, ultimately, wasted potential.
Idungafa’s philosophy has been shaped by her own experiences across different environments. From her time working within Nigeria’s National Assembly to her academic exposure in London, she says she has witnessed first-hand the transformative power of education, mentorship and opportunity.
Through initiatives such as the Ikosi Isheri back-to-school programme, she is seeking to ensure that more children do not merely dream of a better future but are given the tools, exposure and encouragement to pursue it.
