In Nigeria, where families provide the majority of elder care, a new training initiative is giving caregivers the tools to deliver safe, dignified, and culturally responsive support. Guide Path is proud to announce the expansion of its certification program through a formal collaboration with Hands 4Life and the Institute for Bio-Phytomedicine and Physiatry (IBPP), headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. This partnership represents a powerful convergence of caregiving, public health, phytomedicine, and community-based healing, grounded in a shared vision for sustainable change and cross-cultural education.
A Global Pilot in Action: Training a Diverse Cohort
Building on the successful certification of the Alexander Shewey Intergenerational Memorial Community Center in Owerri, Nigeria, the Guide Path Global Certification Program is now being implemented in partnership with IBPP and Hands4Life. Over a dozen participants from across the region have joined this first training cohort, representing a broad spectrum of society:
- Community-based caregivers
- Healthcare center professionals
- At-home family caregivers
- Educators, professors, and doctors
- Healthcare-adjacent workers and interested individuals
This diversity is intentional. The program was designed to be inclusive and accessible to anyone involved in caregiving, regardless of formal education or professional background. Participants will engage in a hybrid curriculum: live online training sessions taught by Guide Path founder Rebecca Adelman, Esq., in-person instruction at the IBPP training center, and peer-to-peer learning supported by local trainers.
Training That Creates Opportunity
One of the most exciting outcomes will be the opportunities this program creates—not only for personal growth but also for professional development. Individual participants who complete the program will receive a globally recognized Guide Path Certificate, equipping them to:
- Demonstrate formal caregiving expertise
- Seek employment in healthcare or home care services
- Participate in internship programs through the Guide Path network
- Join a global community committed to safe, compassionate, and culturally responsive care
The program is more than a course—it’s a career launchpad and a community development tool.
“Caring for the vulnerable is not just a responsibility, it is the measure of our humanity. Through education, compassion, and community, we can create pathways of dignity and hope for older adults, caregivers, and generations to come.”
— Rev. Father Theodore Ihenetu
Expanding Horizons: Cultural Adaptation and Global Scaling
This effort in Nigeria is the first in Guide Path’s broader Global Adaptation Initiative, aimed at refining and expanding the certification curriculum across diverse cultural landscapes. Lessons learned from this pilot will help shape new modules and community adaptations in other countries, particularly across Africa and underserved regions around the world.
Already, the team is developing supporting materials such as cultural “translator” glossaries, community-specific learning tools, and additional resources to ensure accessibility for learners with varying levels of literacy or digital fluency.
Leadership with Vision: Meet Our Partners
The success of this initiative is rooted in powerful leadership and alignment of mission.
“I believe in humanity, I believe that those of us who God has equipped with the knowledge and resources that are essential for improving the well-being of others, especially the less privileged, owe ourselves a responsibility and them a duty to provide a better and more compassionate future.”
— Stanley Ukaga
Our partners at the IBPP bring extraordinary experience and credibility to this effort:
- Rev. Father Theodore Ihenetu, Director, Alexander Shewey Intergenerational Memorial Community Center and Lead Navigator for Hands 4Life. A lifelong advocate for vulnerable populations, Father Theo has been serving seniors and caregivers in Nigeria since 2015. As the visionary leader behind the Alexander Shewey Memorial Community, he has played a critical role in launching and guiding the Guide Path Global Pilot Program. His compassionate leadership, deep-rooted community presence, and unwavering commitment to quality of life have made him an instrumental partner in shaping the future of caregiving education in Nigeria and beyond.
- Stanley Ukaga, Chairman of the Board, is a cross-sector leader and social impact visionary, with decades of service in oil and gas, government transparency, healthcare innovation, and community development across Africa.
- Prof. Kenneth Yongabi, Rector/Director, is a globally recognized public health and phytomedicine scholar with more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and experience consulting with the World Health Organization and the African Union.
- Prof. Chinyere Nneka Ukaga, Secretary/Director, is an award-winning parasitologist and academic leader who has trained more than 50 PhD candidates and serves in high-profile global public health governance roles.
Together with Guide Path, it’s founder, Rebecca Adelman, Esq. and Hands 4Life, this leadership team is committed to reshaping caregiver education globally—blending science, culture, and compassion.
A Model for the Future of Community Health Education
The IBPP operates at the highest level of NGO status under Nigerian law and exemplifies global standards in quality, research, and professional training. Through this collaboration, Guide Path is proud to contribute to a new era of care—one that values intergenerational learning, community empowerment, and real-world impact.
Join the Global Movement
Explore the Institute at www.ibppgte.org, learn more about the work we’re doing in Nigeria, and discover how the Guide Path Global Certification Program is changing the way we think about education, aging, and risk-informed caregiving.
→ Download the Global White Paper to explore insights, impact, and what’s next in this growing international movement.
For partnership inquiries or to bring Guide Path Certification to your region, please visit www.guidepathllc.com or contact us directly.
