Governor of Ondo State, Arankurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has charged the graduands of the 2022 Bemore Summer Boot Camp to be good apostles of the programme in their different spheres of contact.
Gov. Akeredolu gave the charge in his address at the graduation ceremony of the boot camp held on Saturday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa noted that though the knowledge inculcated in the girls was foundational, they have nevertheless been equipped to build others and excel in life.
According to him, the girls in addition to being trained in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and solar energy, have also been drilled in the areas of confidence-building and public-speaking.
The governor stressed that the education given to the girls during the boot camp is in tandem with the policy of the Ondo State government on human capital development.
He promised the state government’s continued partnership with Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation and other similar organizations towards human capital development in the state.
Gov. Akeredolu lauded his wife for her courage, integrity and capacity, describing Bemore as the biggest girls-only STEM-E (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics-Entreprenuership) in the state.
Earlier, the governor’s wife and founder of Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu expressed her happiness at the great transformation that had occurred in the girls.
She asserted that the girls had been given the best form of training, adding that the world was waiting to test them.
Mrs. Akeredolu charged them to stand on their feet and say no to defeat and show proof of the good change that had occurred in them.
The Ondo State First Lady said the girls, having received training in ICT, solar technology and inculcated with other life-enhancing skills have been set on a good economic pedestal hence can no longer fall prey to randy men.
She told the graduands that nothing has the capability to stop them from achieving their dreams, stressing that they could aspire and attain any height they desire.
Pointing out that leadership is gender-neutral, she declared to the girls that it is their responsibility to defend the cause of the female folks.
Mrs Akeredolu further told the girls to know that gone were the days of playing second fiddle on the basis of gender, maintaining that female education is not a waste.
She equally told the girls of her eagerness to hear the good news of their progress in life such as gaining admission into universities and doing exploits in STEM-E.
The first lady expressed her profound gratitude to her husband for his support without which the lofty heights which the programme has attained would not have been possible.
She also thanked the sponsors and partners of the programme for their collaboration.
A total of 388 girls took part during the graduation ceremony with Umar Alaba emerging as this year’s valedictorian.
