We have impacted over 2,000 girls with our RAGA conferences ― GYLGF

Over 2,000 girls have been impacted by a non-governmental organisation, Global Youth Leadership and Girl-child Foundation (GYLGF), through its annual Raising Girls Ambition (RAGA) conferences.

Convener of RAGA and founder of GYLGF, Dr Adepeju Oti made this known at the post-RAGA conference awards ceremony and press conference held on Wednesday at the Oyo State Ministry of Education in Ibadan.

She informed the ministry officials and guests at the event that the foundation has been able to impact over 2,000 girls in six years of RAGA conferences.

RAGA is an annual conference organised by GYLGF in partnership with Lead City University, Ibadan.

She said GYLGF envisions a society where the potentials of youth and girl-child are fully developed and supported to become socially responsible and able to lead self and contribute meaningfully to society.

Currently, about 50 girls have participated in the RAGA global mentorship programme, with 25 mentors from different nationalities, while three girls are on secondary school and university scholarships.

Dr Oti called for the support of the government and relevant ministry and agencies to ensure that every girl attains highest level of education and reaches her optimum potential, adding that every youth should be gainfully employed and or able to create employment.

“We are supporting government in its responsibilities and we need the authorities to cooperate more with us,” Dr Oti said.

She added that it was appalling for society to place priority on entertainment shows when there are more pressing issues like girl-child education begging for attention.

“The result is the incessant rape cases and money consciousness in society today. The ‘omoluabi’ concept, in Yoruba parlance, we used to cherish is ebbing out. We need to make a detour in order to raise a generation that is sound.”

Cash prizes were awarded to winners of secondary schools’ debate, quiz, creative arts, and essay competitions.

In 2020, the GYLGF awarded $10,000 grant sponsored by Rachel Chanel Clarke Globalization Program, USA to a winning female-led business proposal. The grant was won by Olubukola Kupoluyi-Bakare of Moov Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony, one of the mentees, Kimberley Dirisu of Lead City High School, said she had been attending RAGA with her seniors for years. “Every year I come, I learn something new. RAGA has inspired me to improve myself and others with me,” she said.

Ms Margaret Olaoluwa represented special guest, Mrs Charlotte Sangiga, founder of the IITA Women’s Group. While appreciating the work done by GYLGF, she charged recipients of the awards to make the foundation proud through diligence and believing in themselves.

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Olasunkanmi Olaleye was represented at the event by the permanent secretary, Mrs Atere Aminat.

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