The Ubong King Foundation has announced the ninth edition of its flagship youth-development conference, Thinkation, which will be hosted for the first time in Akwa Ibom State.
This was revealed during a press briefing held in Uyo on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
The homecoming edition, with the theme “Reinvent The Future”, is scheduled to take place on January 31, 2026, at Flairmore Event Centre, 98 Edet Akpan Avenue (Four Lanes), Uyo.
Speaking at the briefing, the co-founder of the foundation, Mrs Unyime-Ivy Ubong King, described Thinkation as a platform designed to reshape the mindset of young people through practical education, leadership training, and enterprise development.
“Thinkation” is a merger of two words, “thinking” and “education”. Ubong King believed that many people have gone to school, but school has not gone through them. He wanted young people to think critically, get creative, and develop the capacity to solve life’s challenges.”
She emphasised that the foundation, founded in 2018, was established to advance youth empowerment, strengthen grassroots leadership, particularly within families, and equip young Africans with practical skills and opportunities to mitigate poverty.
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“We are interested in leadership at the grassroots, especially within families, because if we don’t get it right at this level, there is no magic we can expect at the national level.
“It was Ubong King’s vision to eradicate or mitigate poverty among youths by providing practical skills, networks, and opportunities.
”Also, we want to raise young people who will not depend solely on politicians or the state government to succeed. This is why our speakers are people with proven experience, not theorists, who can show young people how they rose from point A to Z,” the co-founder emphasised.
Mrs King disclosed that previous editions of Thinkation have hosted thousands of young people across Africa and featured notable speakers such as the late former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings, Hon. Onofiok Luke, Madam Eunice Thomas, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Ayo Makun (AY); and other global influencers.
According to the content creator and event coordinator of the Foundation, Helen Usen Ekong, the 2026 conference will host speakers including Ugochuckwu Omeogu, Prof. Akin Akin Pelu, Moses Authur, Dr Ini Abimbola, Dr John Nta, Dr Imoh Imoh Ita, Blessing Akpan, and Iniobong Udoh, among others.
She added that there will be a tourism tour with the speakers and other attendees coming from outside Akwa Ibom State.
“The Ubong Foundation is a big one globally, so we are going to use the Thinkation event to promote the tourism story of Akwa Ibom State.”
Highlighting programmes for the homecoming event, the Communication Strategist of the Foundation, Ekerette Alvin Ikpe, said the event will feature plenaries, masterclasses, panel discussions, music, spoken word, comedy, a marketplace for SMEs and cultural performances showcasing the state’s diversity.
According to him, the event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as the occasion promises to be “an epoch-making, historic, and mind-blowing experience that will mark a major milestone for youth empowerment in the state.”
He added that over 1,500 participants are expected to attend the homecoming edition of Thinkation.
The committee also called on organisations and individuals committed to youth development to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
“We are seeking collaborations and sponsorships from organisations willing to create impact in the lives of young people in Akwa Ibom. We also welcome proactive youths to join our volunteer team,” Helen Usen Ekong appealed.
She explained that volunteers benefit from mentorship and capacity-building opportunities that can help them transition from students to entrepreneurs, noting that sponsorship and volunteer registration details are available at www.ubongking.com or via 08022225676.
Fielding questions on the success stories of the Ubong King Foundation, Mrs King emphasised that the non-profit organisation has recorded numerous achievements from individuals mentored through its programmes. She shared that many beneficiaries who were once students have grown into entrepreneurs, medical professionals, content creators, and global volunteers.
“Ubong King was raised from the dunghill of life, but he emptied himself to impact others and today, his mentees across the world are doing phenomenal things. Some reached out to us after he passed, testifying to how his teachings changed their lives.”
