Nigerian Entrepreneur to Provide Footwear for School Children

Fueled by personal experience and divine inspiration, a Nigerian entrepreneur, Caleb Akinola, who is the visioner and CEO of Paragon Footwears has set out to provide handmade footwear for school children in need.

The ‘Soles For a Brighter Future’ project emerged from a poignant dream he had and was solidified by a chance encounter that revealed the pressing need for proper footwear among students in the community.

Based in Osun state capital, Caleb Akinola shared that the vision for this project came to him in a dream where he saw himself crafting shoes and distributing them to schoolchildren who needed it. The very day after this dream, on a trip to the market, he saw a young boy walking barefoot on his way to school.

“This moment felt like a calling,” says Mr. Akinola. “It was as if God was guiding me to address this urgent need in our community.”

This ‘Soles For a Brighter Future’ project aims to provide footwear and also connects the importance of student’s having proper shoes with their overall well-being and academic success. The founder asserted that every child deserves to feel confident and accepted at school. He explains that, “children without footwear often face issues such as low self-esteem and even bullying, which can hinder their educational experience.”

A few years ago, former President Goodluck Jonathan made the news for saying he had no shoes as a young child, and he walked barefooted to school. Nigeria is said to have over 10 million out-of-school children, however, many of those in school do so in hard conditions, including walking barefooted to school.

Caleb Akinola hopes that his Paragon Footwear brand will gather information through collaboration with local schools. “Our schools are critical allies in this endeavor,” Mr. Akinola explained. “They can provide insights and identify students who need assistance the most.”

The ‘Soles For a Brighter Future’ project is rooted in the belief that addressing the footwear issue can lead to improved educational outcomes. “When children feel good about themselves, they are more likely to engage in their studies and participate in school activities,” the founder noted. “It is about fostering an environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

The first phase of the ‘Soles For a Brighter Future’ project plans to produce handmade shoes for 36 students valued at N6,000 per pair. In addition, indigenous and young community members will be skilled and trained to be involved in the creation and distribution process. As this project gains momentum, the entrepreneur remains optimistic about its potential impact. “I hope to expand beyond Osun State in the future, reaching more children who may be facing similar challenges,” the CEO stated.

This project offers an opportunity for individuals, community members and organizations to support this worthy cause through donations of resources, or financial contributions.

Donations can be made through the account details: 6380463711 - Moniepoint - Paragon Footwears.

The founder believes that collective efforts can lead to meaningful change, allowing every child access to the simple necessity of footwear.

Caleb Akinola’s dream has given birth to the ‘Soles For a Brighter Future’ project which he says serves as a powerful reminder that positive change often begins at the grassroots level, and even small acts of kindness can create significant ripples in the lives of the youth. The entrepreneur’s vision embodies a hopeful future where no child has to walk to school barefoot—one pair of shoes at a time.

For more information about the ‘Soles For a Brighter Future’ project, call or send a message to Akinola Caleb on +2348098355022.