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Nigerian comedian Ekene Smith Adigwu has revealed that the challenges he faced while building his career inspired him to establish the Ekene Smith Adigwu Youth Foundation.
Smith, who spoke about his journey, said growing up in a modest home and watching his elder siblings work hard to succeed taught him the value of determination, mentorship and purpose.
After secondary school, he worked as an assistant to his elder brother, renowned comedian Emeka Smith, an experience that exposed him to the entertainment industry. He also credited comedian MC Pato for mentoring him and giving him opportunities to perform.
“After graduating from Delta State University, I returned to Lagos hoping to secure employment while pursuing comedy on the side. However, after years of struggling to find a job, I met a motivational speaker and founder of The Selling Champion, George Emetuche, who became my life coach and mentor,” he recalled.
According to Smith, his experience with Emetuche and a deeper reflection on his personal journey eventually inspired him to establish the foundation.
“I began to ask myself: What if other young talents do not have to struggle through the same journey I struggled through? What if someone could have access to the mentorship, exposure and platforms I desperately needed?” he said.
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Smith explained that the foundation was created to provide mentorship, exposure and opportunities for young talents, particularly those pursuing stand-up comedy and careers in the creative industry.
The vision also led to his annual comedy special, Laff Supper, held every Easter Monday, which he said has become a platform for discovering and showcasing emerging talent.
He added that the foundation has since expanded beyond entertainment to include charity outreaches and support for widows, orphans and less-privileged members of society.
“Looking back, I realise that some of the things that once felt like pain in my journey eventually became part of my purpose. The Foundation is more than an organisation. It is a reflection of my journey, a way of turning the challenges I experienced into opportunities for someone else, so that another young person with talent and potential does not have to walk the entire journey alone.”
He also thanked the mentors and individuals who supported his journey, noting that their examples reinforced his belief that success should also be measured by how many lives it positively impacts
