Go And Transform Your Communities- Akeredolu Urges Fresh Imo Techygirls
The newly-trained technology girls from the just concluded BEMORE SUMMER BOOTCAMP, Imo state edition, have been challenged to put into good use all the skills and knowledge acquired from the bootcamp in order to change their communities for good.
Wife of Ondo State Governor, who is also the founder of BEMORE EMPOWERED FOUNDATION, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, gave this challenge during the graduation and closing ceremony of the Owerri edition of the 2018 BEMORE SUMMER BOOTCAMP which took place at Igolo Abiam Place 77, Wetheral road Owerri, Imo state.
Speaking at the occasion, Mrs Akeredolu observed that the women folk have been conventionally seen as weaker vessels created to cook, clean and make babies, and also required to think less of themselves -a mind-set which according to her is derogatory and is a great impediment to sustainable development. She challenged the new Imo techygirls and Nigerian girls in general to take advantage of her efforts and those of her gender equality comrades to champion a new cause of development in Nigeria that is inclusive.
In her words, “To my BEMORE girls, I congratulate you for successfully completing this programme. I want to believe that you are going home enriched with new knowledge and skills. I urge you to make good use of them.Do not allow what you have acquired go stale.This is the real empowerment. Nobody can take it away from you. Go and transform your communities. It is never too young to become a change agent. use your new skills to solve societal problems,” she said.
The girls were trained holistically on ICT, Solar Technology, Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Communication skills, arts and music.
Others are wig making, bead making, make-over and products such as liquid soap, bleach, disinfectants, insecticides, air freshners and sanitizers.
The girls also had several medical tests and health awareness training. In her remarks, the Valedictorian of the bootcamp, Miss Victoria Odeh, expressed gratitude to the founder of BEMORE for providing the opportunity, which according to her is rare, and pledged on behalf of the girls that they will prove to the world that women and girls can add value to the society by what they would do with the knowledge acquired.
The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Francis C. Eze, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, ably represented by the University Librarian, Dr. Mrs Chinwe Anumobi and the Royal Father of the day, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Patrick Acholonu (Igwe of Orlu), in their different remarks commended the founder and convener of the BEMORE boot camp and advised the beneficiaries to live up to expectation.
The event featured presentation of laptops and certificates, music presentation by the techygirls and demonstration of breast self examination.
Parents of the girls, civil society groups and politicians graced the occasion.
