School girls urged to dream big, stay focused

The female students in Lagos State have been encouraged not to limit themselves based on their gender or any other factor but to dream big, be determined and stay focused to succeed.

The state’s commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Cecilia Bolaji Dada, and the permanent secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite as well as the vice chancellor of the Lagos State University of Education, Otto-Ijanikin, Professor  Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye, gave the charge at a mentorship programme organised by the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the State Governor on Basic an Secondary Education to commemorate this year’s International Day of Girl-Child.

The event, themed: ‘The Girl I am, the Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,’ also has the representative of Special Adviser to the Governor on SDGs, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih-Awokoya and the executive secretary of Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Mrs Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade talking to the students, drawn from across secondary schools on the Lagos Island.

The speakers admonished the girls to embrace self-discovery; know their strengths and weaknesses, live purpose-driven lives and seek divine help to crown their efforts.

They also shared their personal experiences of refusing to allow challenges and excuses particularly back then in schools to debar them from becoming who they are today.

The commissioner for women’s affairs, for instance explained that she didn’t get to the position she is occupying today on a platter of gold but through hard work, determination and focus, with God watering her efforts.

She told the students to understand that most of the rich people they see or hear about today are from very humble backgrounds and that they should not let their own backgrounds affect their aiming for success.

I too, she declared, did not know anybody when I joined partisan politics.

“I was resilient and also prepared myself for the best opportunities I refused to be oppressed or intimidated in the face of obstacles coming from here and there.

“Instead, I went for further studies to prepare myself for the task ahead and at the end of the day, I emerged as the commissioner for women’s affairs after 13 years.

“So, be determined and stay focused without allowing anybody to discourage you. You will achieve your goal in whatever career you choose for yourself.”

In her own contribution, the permanent secretary, Dokunmu-Adegbite, also underscored the power of self-discovery, determination and resilience to get to the top of one’s career, especially by the people from humble backgrounds.

According to her, though, there are adversities, as the world is also being confronted with crises from climate change to inequality, conflict and technological destruction, while the girls are also victims; they are still leaders, innovators and problem-solvers.

“This programme is designed to enable you to see education as a tool for leadership, social change, building confidence to act boldly, and to proffer solutions in times of crisis.

“Knowing your worth as a girl-child begins with self-belief. So, embrace who you are in terms of your backgrounds and talents.

“Your voice is part of your power. Wear your scar as an ornament and don’t hide them so it is not used against you tomorrow.

“There’s absolutely nothing stopping you, not gender, not background, ” she said.

In his address earlier, the convener of the programme and Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Opeyemi Eniola, underscored the importance of the workshop not to the student attendees alone but to the entire female population in the state.

He explained that the programme, branded ‘Innovate-Eko STEAM Mentorship Series’ would run in series as one of the numerous initiatives by his office.

He urged the students to make good use of the knowledge gained and also to be livelier to their studies.

He said the ministry would continue to support the students in their academic pursuits.

The students were also taught menstrual hygiene and were given some items including sanitary pads at the event.

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