By Ayodele Oni
Ondo State First Lady, and Founder, BEMORE Empowered Foundation, Chief (Mrs.) Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has said the BEMORE initiative, her pet project, has not only covered incredible mileage in the last six years, but has also extended its frontiers and continues to break new grounds.
Mrs. Akeredolu made the remark at the official opening ceremony for the 2023 BEMORE Boot Camp, on Monday in Akure.
She pointed out that beneficiaries of the initiatives in the past have proven that it is possible to change the trajectory of life for good, and, also, move ahead to become change agents within the two weeks training in the camp.
According to her, BEMORE was conceptualized in 2017 to close the widened gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Entrepreneurship (STEM+E) by empowering young Nigerian girls in critical areas of science and technology.
The programme also creates opportunities to help them improve on their lives and make meaningful contribution to the socio-economic development of their respective communities.
While noting that the initiative yearly affords the opportunity to impact new set of sterling young Nigerian girls, Mrs. Akeredolu said in the last six eventful years, BEMORE have had five outstanding editions of boot camps, with great successes.
“We have given to the world rare gifts of female champions who are making waves as solar energy queens, ICT experts and sought-after young entrepreneurs.
“Through Bemore, we have successfully raised about three thousand girls as ‘special breed without greed’.
“We have justified our charge with the Bemore performances over the years. The strides of our ambassadors are living testimonies of what Bemore has done and what Bemore can do. Thus far, we have convincingly demonstrated the fact that educating the girl child is not a waste”
“In these last six, fulfilling years, I have taught the Bemore girls how to do it. I have given depictive examples of what it means to have the courage of one’s conviction.
“I have proven to them the wonders of imagination and the beauty of being a woman on one’s own terms; of achieving one’s hearty goals and of holding up one’s head amidst storms.”
She urged the new intakes to make the most use of the opportunity and be part of the league of problem- solvers that the world direly awaits.
The Governor’s wife also used the opportunity to appeal to Government, private sector players, critical stakeholders as well as parents to remain committed to sustaining the enviable standard that BEMORE represents to the society and continue to support it financially.
In his address, the Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while acknowledging the challenges and discrimination faced by young girls across Africa, applauded Mrs. Akeredolu for taking a bold and practical step to stern the tide.
Aiyedatiwa who also noted that BEMORE initiative has changed the narrative of girl-child across Nigeria, congratulated those who made it to the camp, saying they were indeed lucky to have a kind hearted mother who, through her ingenuity, founded the boot camp to empower 21st century Nigerian girls and womenfolk in general.
He also applauded Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for always supporting the initiative as a gender sensitive leader.
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 Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has said the BEMORE initiative, her pet project, has not only covered incredible mileage in the last six years, but has also extended its frontiers and continues to break new grounds.){kind=link}