..initiative Bridges Gender Gap – Youth Minister

..as Odu’a Investments, WE Africa, Okitipupa Oil Palm, and Others Pledge Continued Support

The BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, founded by the immediate past First Lady of Ondo State, Chief (Dr.) Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, marked the opening of its 2024 two-week STEM+E Summer Bootcamp for girls in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The 7th edition of the girls-only bootcamp, held at Lead City International School, Jericho, Ibadan, saw the participation of over a hundred girls sponsored by individuals and corporate organizations, primarily from Oyo and Ondo States.

In her keynote address, titled “BEMORE: It’s About YOU and My Granddaughter, JOJO,” Chief Anyanwu-Akeredolu emphasized the enduring mission of the BEMORE initiative to advance the status of girls, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Entrepreneurship (STEM + E).

According to her, the ability to plan and hold the BeMore edition in Oyo for the first time is proof of its sustainability and helps change the erroneous mindset that the initiative belongs to the Ondo State government.

Highlighting the resilience and courage that have driven the initiative forward despite initial skepticism about the program’s continuity post her tenure as First Lady, Chief Anyanwu-Akeredolu expressed her pride in successfully launching #BEMOREOYO2024, saying, “That we pulled off #BEMOREOYO2024 is simply remarkable, as not a few thought that BEMORE had gone with the wind.”

“The decision to hold the bootcamp in Oyo State was strategic, aimed at giving BEMORE national visibility and dispelling the misconception that it is an Ondo State government program. IT HAS NEVER BEEN AND IT WILL NEVER BE!” she asserted.

Reflecting on the origins of BEMORE, she recounted how her experiences growing up in Emeabiam, a marginalized village in Owerri West, Imo State, fueled her determination to address the systemic challenges faced by women and girls.

She affirmed that BEMORE was not conceived for political gain during her tenure as the First Lady of Ondo State but as a response to the injustices she witnessed.

“BEMORE was conceptualized to achieve a purpose—the advancement of the girl-child, trained and mentored to compete in a knowledge-based economy,” she stated.

She reiterated BEMORE’s mission to challenge the deep-seated misogyny in Nigerian society by proving that technological skills are not exclusive to men, noting that since its inception in 2017, the program has used STEM + E as a platform to empower young girls, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive, knowledge-driven world.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu also emphasized the critical role of educated and enlightened women in driving societal change, adding that women must support one another to create disruptive and innovative solutions to the challenges they face.

While expressing her commitment to devoting the rest of her lifetime to champion the cause of women and girls, the BeMore Founder contended that leaving 50% of the population behind in STEM education would impede development.

She boasted that the over 3,000 girls trained through the initiative across Nigeria and the Diaspora have started manifesting the objectives of BeMore, as they are expanding the knowledge they acquired to other girls in their environment.

She also highlighted BEMORE’s commitment to inclusivity since 2022, when girls with hearing impairments participated in the bootcamp. She disclosed that this year, six hearing-impaired girls are participating—four from Oyo State and two from Ondo.

Welcoming the 2024 set of BEMORE girls to a transformative experience, she assured them that the two-week bootcamp would equip them with the knowledge and skills to rediscover themselves and dream big. “Your parents will barely recognize you after two weeks,” she assured.

Chief Anyanwu-Akeredolu appreciated the matrons who have been part of the journey since 2017, providing care and support to the girls, including the ICT and Solar partners. She also thanked the sponsors.

She was optimistic that #BEMOREOYO2024 would open doors for even greater achievements and solidify BEMORE’s position as a leading NGO in girls’ advancement in STEM + E.

The Chairman of the occasion and Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Olawande Ayodele Wisdom, emphasized the need to empower women by equipping girls with the necessary skills to contribute to the economic development of the nation.

He commended the BeMore Empowered Foundation’s Founder for her commitment to transforming the lives of young girls and making them future female technological leaders, describing it as a lasting legacy.

Some of the corporate sponsors of this year’s edition affirmed their continued support for the sustainability of the initiative.

Speaking, the GMD/CEO of Odu’a Investments, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, implored the girls to grab the opportunity with both hands and make use of every opportunity attached to the program, and he challenged every well-to-do individual to provide support.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of WE Africa Limited, Mr. Oluwatoyin Olaife, announced the decision of WE Africa to continually support BeMore annually.

He affirmed that BeMore has truly recorded huge success with a touch of excellence, noting that providing girls with STEM opportunities would enhance their ability to contribute meaningfully to the economic development of the nation. He admonished the participants to maximize the opportunity.

A representative of Okitipupa Oil Palm Limited, Mr. Taiwo Adewole, informed that, even though the company was founded 72 years ago by the late Obafemi Awolowo, it took the courage of the late Ondo Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, to revive it.

According to him, this edition marks the beginning of the company’s support for the BeMore program, which he described as an investment they want to make in the long term to ensure its sustainability.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity as a launchpad to become someone who can turn around the country for good.

Highlights of the event included a demonstration of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) by the Red Cross Society and the sharing of BeMore experiences by some alumnae.