A Week of Findings – Conversations, Surprises, and Realities

So, last week was wild. I got this short-term gig as a validator for this awesome program called the Future Fashion Programme (FFP)

For context—FFP (Fashion Future Program) is an initiative by Ethnocentrique, supported by the Mastercard Foundation. The goal? To help young creatives and entrepreneurs (especially women and people with disabilities) build skills, get mentorship, and find their place in the fashion industry. Think of it as a push in the right direction for local talents trying to break into something Groundbreaking.

Ethnocentrique The Parent company behind FFP is an organization focused on empowering Africa’s creative industry by supporting local creatives and small businesses (MSMEs). Its mission is to preserve and promote African creative excellence while helping these talents compete globally.

Our job as validators was simple on paper—have conversations with applicants and verify their information to see if they qualify for the program.

It was quite an experience, and a chance for me to meet and Work with New People

Buh Conversing With Over 200 People taught me a lot and i learnt A Lot Not just about Fashion , buh about Human beings and the way we Think

1. The Next of Kin Dilemma a lot of married women didn’t list their husbands as next of kin. Instead, they went with their kids or siblings. At first, I thought maybe it was just something Random. Then it kept happening. Over and over. Now just to clarify—next of kin means your closest living relative. It's the person who’s contacted if something serious happens to you. They also get to make decisions or handle your affairs if you can't. Naturally, you’d think a spouse fits that role, right? But these women didn’t see it that way. And what made it even more eye-opening? Most of the men listed their wives. Only a handful of women did the same for their husbands. It made me pause. Was it ignorance? Distrust? A reflection of deeper cracks in relationships? I don’t have the full answer—but it made me realize how layered human decisions can be. Sometimes it’s not just what people say, but what they don’t say that tells the story.

2. The Alarming Rate of Unemployment Another thing I couldn’t ignore? The number of unemployed graduates I spoke with. It’s heartbreaking. So many brilliant, educated people, just sitting—waiting—for an opportunity. And that’s why programs like FFP matter. They may not fix the system overnight, but they’re a start. They're giving people in places like Aba a chance to dream again, to build something real.

At the end of the day, last week wasn’t just a job—it was a lesson in human behavior, struggles, and the small ways we can make a difference. I left that last week feeling two things—grateful and reflective. Grateful that I got to be part of something meaningful. And reflective because the conversations I had showed me just how much work we still have to do—especially around things like education, trust in relationships, and access to jobs.

If there's one thing I learned, it's this: when you sit across from someone and really listen, you get more than just answers. You get a glimpse into their world. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to grow.

What do you think? Is the next-of-kin thing about trust, culture, or just not knowing?