Chef Mimi Honoured as Girls and Women Speak Ambassador, Expands Impact with National School Shoe Campaign
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Shettu Gamaliel, widely known as Chef Mimi, has received national and international recognition for her tireless advocacy for the rights of girls and women in Nigeria. The Peace Ambassador Advocacy, an affiliate of the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA) and the United Nations (UN) in Nigeria, has officially honoured her with the prestigious Girls and Women Speak Ambassadorship.
This recognition acknowledges her unwavering dedication to community development, advocacy, and the empowerment of vulnerable populations across the country.
Chef Mimi’s influence spans multiple sectors. She is the Executive Director of Project 100, CEO of Dine and Pack Restaurant and Grills, Head Chef of the Dine and Pack Culinary Training Institute, and Coordinator of AWC-Next. Through these platforms, she has consistently driven initiatives focused on improving the lives of women, children, and underserved communities, combining empowerment programs with practical, tangible support. 
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Project 100: A Community-Driven Movement of Impact
At the heart of Chef Mimi’s social impact work is Project 100—the corporate social responsibility arm of the Dine and Pack Initiative. Project 100 is a community-focused movement dedicated to empowering individuals through direct interventions, education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable support systems.
Operating under the motto, “Empowering all, one individual at a time,” Project 100 has made a measurable difference in the lives of Nigerians. To date, the initiative has directly empowered more than 40 individuals and positively impacted 1,124 people within the Abuja metropolis alone.
One of its standout moments came in March 2024 during International Women’s Day celebrations, when Project 100 awarded business support grants to 20 women entrepreneurs. These micro-grants helped beneficiaries strengthen their small businesses and support their households, fostering economic resilience and promoting women-led growth in local communities.
Beyond financial aid, Project 100 has also led food drives, skill-building workshops, and social interventions aimed at addressing gaps left by traditional systems of support.
BlessedFeet Campaign: Giving Every Child a Step Forward
In a bid to widen its reach and deepen its impact, Project 100 recently launched the BlessedFeet Campaign, a bold, national initiative aimed at distributing over 100,000 pairs of quality school shoes to underprivileged children across Nigeria.
Chef Mimi introduced the campaign with an emotionally charged speech, recalling her own childhood experience with a single pair of durable Bata shoes that lasted for years. She described how those shoes became a symbol of dignity and resilience, standing the test of time while providing her with comfort and pride.
Drawing inspiration from that memory, the BlessedFeet Campaign now aims to give tens of thousands of children across underserved areas—including Zaria, Zamfara, Kano, and Kaduna—that same sense of dignity and belonging. Through a strategic partnership with Bata Nigeria, Project 100 will provide locally produced, high-quality footwear at subsidised rates.
The goal goes beyond footwear. It is about alleviating financial pressures on families while inspiring confidence and encouraging school attendance among vulnerable children. Every step a child takes in these shoes is envisioned as a step toward education, inclusion, and a brighter future.
Mobilising for Change: Call for BlessedFeet Ambassadors
To ensure the campaign’s success and sustainability, Project 100 is calling on passionate individuals, influencers, and community leaders to become BlessedFeet Ambassadors.
Ambassadors will play a critical role in amplifying the campaign’s message, building strategic collaborations, securing media visibility, and driving fundraising efforts. They will work alongside Bata’s existing influencer network and receive public recognition for their contributions.
In addition to recognition, Ambassadors will also enjoy incentives, including rewards for bringing on board new sponsors and collaborators—further encouraging their involvement and commitment to the cause.
Together for Impact: A Vision of Inclusion
Project 100’s approach is rooted in the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This philosophy underpins the entire BlessedFeet Campaign.
With the support of donors, ambassadors, private organizations, and public sector partners, Project 100 is steadfast in its mission to ensure that no child is left behind simply because they lack proper footwear. The initiative sees school shoes not just as a luxury, but as a basic right—essential for walking safely, learning freely, and dreaming boldly.
From empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting families to now stepping into the lives of children with the BlessedFeet Campaign, Project 100’s journey continues to be defined by empathy, action, and a strong sense of community.
As Chef Mimi and her team forge ahead, they invite all Nigerians and global partners to join the movement—to empower each step and help rewrite the future for thousands of children.
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