Ubong King Foundation unveils youth empowerment plan, skill development programme
By Emmanuel Ntekim
The Ubong King Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to youth development across Africa, has announced preparations for its 2026 Thinkation event, themed “Reinvent the Future!”, scheduled to hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The event, tagged “The Home Coming,” marks the ninth edition of Thinkation—an annual capacity-building and motivational conference pioneered by the late Ubong King.
Since its inception in 2018, Thinkation has aimed at reshaping the mindset of young people by merging critical thinking with practical education.
Speaking to journalists in Uyo, the co-founder of the foundation, Mrs. Unyime-Ivy Ubong King, described Thinkation as a global platform designed to stimulate critical and creative thinking among youths while equipping them with the skills needed to solve emerging societal challenges.
According to her, the homecoming edition seeks to “trigger young people’s creative abilities for a radical paradigm shift that will advance educational and human capacity development within their communities.”
Mrs. King reiterated that Thinkation was born out of her late husband’s vision to instill leadership values from the family unit to the broader African society, while contributing to poverty eradication across the continent.
She noted that past editions recorded significant impact, evident in the mindset transformation and entrepreneurial drive seen among participants worldwide.
Highlighting success stories, she revealed that this year’s programme will feature a young Ghanaian entrepreneur who first encountered Ubong King via social media and after undergoing mentorship through the Thinkation platform, has built a thriving business in Ghana.
“Beyond him, we are bringing in seasoned professionals with proven track records who will share how they built their businesses from scratch,” she said.
“We believe every young person is creative; our work is to mentor, ignite that creativity, and guide them toward a successful future.”
Reflecting on her husband’s legacy, Mrs. King described Ubong King as a man lifted “from the dunghill of life” and empowered by God to inspire others. She expressed confidence that the foundation will continue to uphold his mission of awakening leadership and entrepreneurial skills among youths.
Also speaking, the Head of Strategic Communication for Thinkation, Mr. Ekerete Ikpe, announced that the 2026 event is scheduled for January 31, 2026, at Flairmore Event Centre, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo, starting at 9 a.m.
He added that the programme will be a blend of conference and entertainment, featuring music, spoken word performances, comedy, and cultural displays showcasing Akwa Ibom’s rich heritage. Thinkation events, he noted, often highlight the cultural diversity of their host communities.
With the Uyo edition, the Ubong King Foundation hopes to further empower young Nigerians with practical skills, entrepreneurial insights, and the mindset needed to build a more innovative and prosperous future.
