..as 2024 participants go home with brand-new laptops and solar home systems

As the 2024 edition of the BEMORE Summer Bootcamp 4Girlsnaija came to a close, the newly transformed girls were charged to take the lead in transforming their communities and the world with the skills and knowledge they acquired.

The Founder of Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation, Chief (Dr.) Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, gave this charge in her remarks at the closing ceremony of the bootcamp, held at Lead City International School in Ibadan on Saturday. She emphasized the importance of the girls becoming change agents within their immediate surroundings and encouraged them to make the most of the tools provided to them, especially the brand-new laptop and the solar home system, saying, “DON’T SELL THEM!” She stressed that these tools are meant to facilitate their journey toward financial independence.

Citing breast cancer awareness, she highlighted how BEMORE has successfully utilized the bootcamp as a platform to educate young girls, whom she then charged to carry the message of early detection back to their families and communities. “The ripple effect of one BEMORE girl spreading the message of ‘early detection saves lives’ in a community can be huge,” she said.

Anyanwu-Akeredolu expressed her hope that the skills acquired during the bootcamp, would empower the girls to become income earners and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

She drew a connection between financial independence and the reduction of gender-based violence, noting that poverty often exacerbates domestic violence.

Her words: “The curriculum of BEMORE bootcamp is designed to make you an income earner as soon as you step out of the camp. SEIZE THE MOMENT! Those of you that chose make up and gele tying under skill acquisition should be making money by next weekend owambe party. Send videos of your handwork to Grandma. I love to see them.

” With your solar home systems, your house might become the only house that has light 24/7, your neighbours will come to charge their phones for a fee and that’s an avenue to make some money. Henceforth, remember to save some portion of money you make as you have been advised during the financial literacy class. When you save, it accumulates to enable you to invest that will lead to wealth creation.

“My heart desire is for my over 3000 BEMORE girls to put all they learned to build wealth and become financially independent women. I believe it will boost our economy and for the betterment of Nigeria. When a woman is financially independent, there is less spousal abuse that leads to domestic violence”.

She pointed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and lamented the lack of awareness and action on these goals in Nigeria. She explained that this is why Bemore girls are always grouped according to the numbers of the SDGs, so they can become acquainted with them. “It’s about time the Nigerian government took SDGs seriously in order to meet the 2030 set targets,” she remarked.

The BEMORE founder also took pride in the continued efforts of the BEMORE SISTERS NETWORK, a group of alumni who have taken it upon themselves to mentor and train other girls in their communities. She praised their initiative and commitment to spreading the transformative impact of BEMORE, urging well-meaning Nigerians to sponsor more girls from humble backgrounds to experience the bootcamp.

Reflecting on her inspiration for founding BEMORE, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu cited her own experiences growing up and the transformative power of kindness, as demonstrated by Oprah Winfrey. She was optimistic that the BEMORE girls would continue to recruit more girls into their fold, helping them become better versions of themselves and making Nigeria a better place for all.

She eulogised her late husband and immediate past Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, for his support for the BeMore, describing him as the kind of husband who valued and recognized the need to empower women.

In her opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University Ibadan, Prof. Jacinta Opara, lauded the transformation of the girls who, over the course of two weeks, evolved into empowered, confident, and determined individuals ready to take on the world. Prof. Opara highlighted the significance of the camp, emphasizing that it was not merely a collection of sessions but a profound journey of self-discovery, learning, and growth.

She affirmed that the BEMORE Summer Bootcamp is Africa’s largest initiative in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and entrepreneurship, having equipped these girls with invaluable skills that will serve them throughout their lives. According to Prof. Opara, these skills have become an intrinsic part of each girl’s identity, preparing them not just for academic success but for life. “You are leaving here not only with knowledge but with the power to change your lives and the lives of those around you,” she told the girls, urging them to recognize that they are the architects of their future. She reminded them that the world is brimming with opportunities and that with the foundation they have built, there is no limit to what they can achieve.

While declaring the bootcamp closed for 2024, she commended the founder for her unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and for creating a platform that empowers young minds. According to her, Anyanwu-Akeredolu’s dedication to the cause of empowering young girls is not just commendable but will have a lasting impact for generations to come.

The Special Guest of Honour, who doubles as the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Sonubi Ayodele, described the BEMORE initiative as a strategic investment in the future of our great nation. He affirmed that the life-changing initiative has indeed come at a time when it is pertinent to groom the next generation of future leaders, who are expected to positively assert themselves in all spheres of human endeavor. Represented by the Area Commander ACP Oni Abayomi, the CP charged the participants to positively utilize the skills and knowledge they acquired, as he affirmed that the opportunity they had is designed to model them toward the pathways of accountability and responsibility.

Also speaking, a representative of Ari Professional Services, Mr. Adesoji Arimoro, expressed delight in being part of the remarkable mission of BEMORE to groom girls in STEM and entrepreneurial skills in order to bridge the gender gap in these fields of endeavor. The financial expert announced the readiness of the organization to provide free business consultation services to 12 of the girls, two of whom must be physically challenged, and who are ready to take the next step in building a viable business. “These services will include business registration, designing internal control systems for them, building up an accounting record-keeping system for them, granting them tax services, and a host of others that will span a period of no less than three years,” he highlighted.

Highlights of the event included the exhibition of items produced by the girls, the presentation of the 2024 Valedictorian, and the presentation of laptops, solar systems, and certificates to each of the about one hundred participants, among others.