On Monday, the wife of the Ondo state governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, stressed the need for relevant stakeholders, including parents, teachers, corporate organisations and the government, to give priority to issues affecting the girl-child to ensure self-reliance
The first lady, who stated this during the opening of the 2023 BEMORE summer boot camp for 300 young girls in the state, said it is imperative to expose young schoolgirls to training that would transform their lives and prepare them for future challenges.
According to Mrs. Akeredolu, the future of young schoolgirls will be more secure if the stakeholders and government dedicate more support to the girl-child, by introducing a programme that would transform their lives.
She said the annual training programme, organised by her during the third term holiday, which started in 2017, is designed to identify the potential in the girl-child and to make them socially responsible and able to lead and contribute meaningfully to society.
She disclosed that the beneficiaries were drawn from different parts of the state and would be trained in Information and Communication Technology, solar power systems, and some other entrepreneurial skills that could make them self-reliant in future.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who spoke virtually from Germany, explained that the programme will help to close the widened gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Entrepreneurship by empowering young Nigerian girls in critical areas of science and technology
She also stated that it will give them the opportunities to improve their lives and make meaningful contributions to the socio-economic development of their respective communities
The governor’s wife assured that the girls would be transformed by the end of the programme and said “By the time they will leave the camp, they would have been fully moulded into a pride of lionesses who can own and defend their territories.
“They would have been well-groomed and convinced enough to bear witness to the greatness of Bemore.
“On all fronts, Bemore has met expectations. It has not only covered incredible mileage, but it has also extended its frontiers and continued to break new ground.
“It has brought invaluable finesse to families and continues to give hope to many girls across the country. Given the height Bemore has reached, it is important to consolidate on its achievements.”
She called on the government and other corporate organizations to render adequate financial support to the programme.
“May I appeal to governments, private sector players, critical stakeholders and parents that we should be genuine enough to sustain the enviable standard that Bemore represents to the society and continue to support financially to enable us to build an organization that lasts beyond our earthly sojourn?
“On our part as a family, there is no looking backwards until Bemore reaches that rung as global players in advancing the cause of women. I am hopeful that in my lifetime I will be able to shout, mission accomplished,” she stated.
While declaring the programme open, the state Acting Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, commended the first lady for coming up with, what he described as a bold and impactive initiative, focusing on transforming the girl-child and promoting the principle of gender balancing.
He said “For a long time, the girl-child in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, has been faced with problems ranging from sexual abuse, lack of education, gender-based violence, religious and cultural biases, early/child marriage, discrimination, and under-nourishment, to female genital mutilation.
“These setbacks thus impede her development and stunt equality with the opposite gender in a society rooted in patriarchal idiosyncrasies and gender stereotypes.
“Bemore initiative has turned out as one of the most successful ideas that have conquered the whole culture of ‘boy preference’ and ‘girl aversion’.
“With Bemore we are inculcating an unequal valuing of the girl-child in line with the United Nation’s Resolution to recognize girls’ rights and the unique,”
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