Train Girl-Child In Technological Advancement – Ondo Gov’s Wife

By Ayodele Oni

As Nigeria joined the rest of the World to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has stressed the need to develop the girl-child technologically.

In her message, the Founder of the Bemore Empowered Initiative, the largest girls-only ICT and solar boot camp in Nigeria, said she would continue to build female technology leaders that would serve Nigeria and help with solving its problems.

“I am committed to continue to build female technology leaders who will serve Nigeria and solve its problems and not to become professionals for export who are suitable for sending back dollars homeward.”

She urged leaders at all levels not to deny the girl-child equal access to quality education, noting that  it is counter productive to national development.

“Our greatest error as a nation has been and continues to be; denying the girl child equal access to quality education by upholding cultural norms and traditions that discriminate against them.”

Speaking on this year’s theme, “Digital Generation: Our Generation”, Arabinrin aligned with the position of the United Nations in building up women and girl-child technologically.

The Governor’s wife pointed out that the BEMORE Empowered Initiative for girl-child, her pet project,  is a testimony to the need to ensure women and girls have unlimited access to the internet and digital devices.

“If indeed we are concerned about the prosperity and security of this country called Nigeria, we must begin to invest in our girls.”

She disclosed that during this year’s BEMORE Summer Boot camp in Ondo State, over 360 girls were trained, reshaped, reformed and polished to bridge gender technological gap in the country.

She expressed the hope that  they would grow to become beautiful and strong-willed breed of women.

Chief Anyanwu-Akeredolu also called on African leaders to join the league of world powers like the United States of America where every girl can live free from violence, discrimination and bias.

“Where girls can dream boldly and lead ambitiously as heads of families, communities, corporations, and governments; where their voices are not only heard, but amplified; and where they can lead the charge against 21st century challenges, drive innovations, compete and succeed in the workforce of the future.

“Insecurity, socio-economic and political instability are becoming more popular in Nigeria, because the people allow proliferation of sexist family laws, unequal property rights, early marriage for girls, patrilocal marriage, polygamy, son preference, violence against women and legal indulgence.

“It would have been drastically mitigated if government, civil societies, private sector, parents, philanthropists, youth movements and other stakeholders can protect, support and invest more in the girl-child.”

Mrs Akeredoku charged women and girls in the State not to jettison their interest, but keep overcoming obstacles placed by society on women advancement.