…..Expands Humanitarian Projects at Maiden Mind Shift Summit in Enugu
The Founder of the Nwanna Arinze Foundation, Dr. Nwanna Arinze, says poverty and prosperity are deeply rooted in the thought patterns individuals cultivate, stressing that sustainable societal transformation must begin with reshaping the minds of young people.
He stated this while addressing participants at the maiden edition of the Mind Shift Summit, held in Enugu with the theme “Equipping Young Minds for a Reputable and Strong Future.”
Dr. Arinze explained that the Foundation, established in honour of his late father, is driven by a vision to empower people through mindset reorientation, humanitarian support, and practical interventions that reflect both faith and social responsibility.
According to him, the values and teachings he received from his late father remain a guiding force in his life and service.
Highlighting the Foundation’s achievements in 2025, Arinze disclosed that the organization reached over 400 children through its Project Back to School initiative, providing school supplies and other materials to support their return to school in September.
He announced plans to scale up the intervention in 2026 to cover 1,000 children, noting that the rising number of families unable to afford basic education is a clear indicator of the biting economic hardship.
He also disclosed that the Foundation also carried out a medical outreach earlier in the year and is currently preparing for Project Feed 200 Families, a Christmas intervention aimed at supporting vulnerable households.
According to him, several beneficiaries—including university students—are currently on the Foundation’s scholarship list, with some graduating this year and others expected to graduate in 2026.
The Foundation, he added, will open its scholarship portal in January to accommodate more students, particularly those in primary school.
Dr. Arinze appealed for increased support from individuals and partners, noting that the scale of need in society requires collective effort.
“I am just one person. I can’t do this thing alone. We are calling on everyone seated here to join us in transforming our society into a better place,” he said.
The Foundation’s founder used the occasion to acknowledge mentors and supporters who have played significant roles in his journey and for their consistent guidance, encouragement and support, especially during moments when others doubted his potential.
Dr. Arinze reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to upholding the values instilled in him from childhood, including discipline, integrity, and the refusal to compromise on principles.
He urged young people to remain steadfast, noting that obedience, sacrifice and consistency are often the unseen factors behind many success stories.
Dr. Arinze assured participants that the Foundation will continue to expand its outreach, support more families, and remain committed to shaping young minds toward a responsible and impactful future.
Earlier in a welcome address, Mazi Oha Chukwujekwu, Head of Programmes and Projects at the Nwanna Arinze Foundation, announced a significant expansion of the summit’s vision, including a new partnership with Arible Business School and a dedicated scholarship programme.
Chukwujekwu emphasized that the summit’s core philosophy is that “real transformation… starts from people, and from a shift in how those people think.”
He said the event will not be a one-time gathering but as the “beginning of a larger journey” and a “network of minds committed to progress.”
Chukwujekwu stressed that the various programmes of the foundation are a direct investment in the potential and creativity of the participants.
“The future we desire will not build itself,” he stated. “It will be built by minds that have shifted.”
Chukwujekwu said the summit aims to serve as a “spark” for a new wave of innovators, moving participants from the realm of ideas to concrete action.
One of the Speakers and Group Managing Director of COPEN Group, Rev. Dr. Ugochukwu Chime, emphasized the imperative of deliberate planning in securing a meaningful future.
Dr. Chime noted that “tomorrow is not a date but a destination,” stressing that the quality of tomorrow is determined by the actions and disciplines cultivated today.
He warned that when individuals fail to shape their own future, “circumstances may shape it for them,” underscoring the need for intentional effort in personal and collective development.
Dr. Chime further maintained that the future belongs to those who are able to envision it before it arrives, stressing that “tomorrow belongs to those who plan and build for it deliberately today, not those who drift into it accidentally.”
He urged people to adopt a proactive rather than reactive mindset, adding that shaping one’s tomorrow requires knowledge, vision, and resilience.
According to him, sustained effort, discipline, and foresight remain the key ingredients for building a future that aligns with one’s aspirations.
The Mind Shift Summit, which featured panelists, guests, faith leaders and youth advocates, marked a strategic beginning for the Foundation’s long-term vision of building a society driven by purpose, character and transformed thinking.
