Non-governmental organisations, the Global Shapers Ota Hub and the DreamCode Africa, have organised bootcamps to educate young people in Ota on health and entrepreneurial matters as it affects them and their communities.
The bootcamps, tagged ‘Healthy Wealthy You’, and recently held in Ota, Ogun State, aimed at educating young people on how to maximise their limited access to vital health resources and empowering them with the tools to thrive in their businesses.
The general bootcamp, which was for boys and girls, lasted for one week. On the other hand, the one for only young girls and women lasted for two days.
About 30 young girls and women attended the two-day bootcamp and were taught things bordering reproductive health, menstrual hygiene education, fashion, among others.
The chief dreamer of DreamCode Africa, Mercy Anih, stated that their partnership with Global Shapers Ota reflected their unwavering commitment to investing in the next generation and making a lasting difference in their communities.
Anih noted that nearly 60 per cent of the population in Ota lives below the national poverty line and that the odds are steeper for adolescent girls.
“Over 70 per cent of girls in low-income areas lack access to proper menstrual hygiene management, leading to missed school days and increased health risks. Teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal mortality remain pressing concerns, making reproductive health a distant dream for many,” she said.
The bootcamp also featured a fashion module, where the girls and young women learned how to transform waste clothes into marketable garments.
The CEO of Dhoney, Doyinmola Paul Oyewusi, stated that sustainable fashion is not just about looking good — it is about making a positive impact in the world.
“This training is about empowering young women to make choices that are both environmentally responsible and economically rewarding,” Oyewusi added.
The participants appreciated the facilitators for their engaging teaching methods. One of the participants said, “Learning to make reusable sanitary pads was an added advantage for us. It is a skill we can use for ourselves and even teach others.”
Another participant said, “The facilitators made everything interesting. They included fun activities that made the learning enjoyable, and we felt supported throughout.”
The organisers of the programme reiterated their commitment to expanding the reach of the ‘Healthy Wealthy You’ initiative.
They said the programme will continue to measure its impact through surveys and one-on-one interviews, ensuring that knowledge, entrepreneurial readiness, and empowerment are effectively imparted.
Iyanuoluwa Aliu, the curator of Global Shapers Ota, reflecting on the bootcamp, stated that empowering young women is not only a noble goal but also a necessity.
“The ‘Healthy Wealthy You’ bootcamp has shown that when you invest in the health, education, and economic potential of young women, the entire community thrives. This is just the beginning,” Aliu said.
Global Shapers and its partners (Iyanu Reuseable Pads Empowerment Project, Before and Beyond 20) used the medium to seek local and international collaborations that will enable them to create a future where every young girl in Ota has the resources to shape her destiny.
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