Bemore Alumni Narrate Stories Of Impact, Success

The “End-of-the-year Sit-Out With Grandma” event, organized by the Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation, served as a platform for alumni to share testimonies regarding the significant impact of the foundation’s annual summer boot camps on their lives. GELE AGBAI reports.

Miss Kate Iherora participated in the 2018 Summer Boot Camp, an initiative of the Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation, founded by the former First Lady of Ondo State, Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. This occurred a year after the programme’s inception in 2017.

At the time, Kate was in her first year at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State. Despite being one of the oldest participants in the 2018 cohort, she resolved to focus on the opportunities presented.

The boot camp offered courses in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and solar panel installation. Additionally, participants acquired life-enhancing skills such as confectionery-making, drawing, public speaking, and the self-defense sport of taekwondo.

There were also sessions dedicated to breast cancer awareness, including instruction on self-examination to detect lumps early and prevent the progression of breast cancer, the leading cause of death among women in Nigeria.

Kate developed a keen interest in ICT and breast cancer detection. Upon returning to campus after the intensive two-week programme, she organized breast cancer awareness sessions, which yielded surprising results. She discovered that many individuals remained largely uninformed about breast cancer, its detection, and treatment.

The enthusiastic response from students and others who attended her sessions strengthened her confidence and assertiveness. Kate’s influence grew, leading her to run for the Vice President position of the Students Union Government (SUG) at the Polytechnic. Although she did not win the election, it further enhanced her confidence and popularity on campus.

Kate committed herself to rigorous study, and today, she is a certified data analyst. Her work provides her with financial independence, eliminating the need to rely on her parents or future spouse for her needs.

Chidera Okpoko, a member of the 2025 cohort, returned from the Ibadan, Oyo State, edition of the annual Summer Boot Camp and decided to establish her own business. Prior to attending the boot camp, she assisted her mother at her shop in Amakohia, Owerri North Local Government Area, Imo State, selling groceries.

Chidera found this daily routine monotonous. With the skills acquired at the Bemore Summer Boot Camp, she ventured into the Chimchim-making business, utilizing her savings to start. During the end-of-the-year Sit-Out With Grandma, Chidera, the 2025 valedictorian, expressed her happiness in owning a business in her name.

Ijezie Mmesoma, another participant from the 2025 Summer Boot Camp, launched a breast cancer awareness campaign at a school where her aunt teaches upon returning from the camp. Despite her young age, her demonstration of lump detection methods using her undeveloped chest captivated attention during the campaign.

At the camp, participants are encouraged to share the knowledge they gain, contributing to society. They are trained to transform into what Dr. Akeredolu describes as “breed without greed.”

During the end-of-the-year sit-out, the founder expressed satisfaction that the alumni were applying the knowledge and skills acquired at the Summer Boot Camp to serve society.

The widow of the late Governor of Ondo State, Aketi Oluwarotiimi Odunayo Akeredolu, has other initiatives such as the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF), and Tennis Clinic for teenage girls, but she values the Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation the most.

Since its inception in 2017, the Bemore Summer Boot Camp has trained over 3,000 young girls in STEM+E (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Entrepreneurship). It has demystified STEM+E and bridged the gender gap, encouraging more young women to pursue fields traditionally dominated by men.

Dr. Akeredolu formed the Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation based on her experiences growing up in the rural Emeabiam Community in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State.

She recounted that during her upbringing, girls were not enrolled in schools; instead, parents preferred to marry them off to fund their sons’ education.

Dr. Akeredolu disclosed her silent prayers to God for opportunities and resources to empower teenage girls.

She noted that her position as First Lady enhanced her ability to assist the girl-child. While acknowledging the challenges faced by the girl-child, she stated that conditions were even harsher in her time.

She emphasized that education is vital but asserted that education equipping girls to earn a living is transformative. She urged the girls to pursue financial independence to safeguard their dignity, reduce spousal abuse, and strengthen their families.

Dr. Ijeoma Emeagi, a Chief Lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of education and skill development for the girl-child. Dr. Emeagi advised the Bemore alumni and attendees that the first step to success is self-awareness. Self-appraisal helps one understand their identity, passions, likes, and dislikes.

After discovering one’s passion, Dr. Emeagi stressed the importance of studying and applying oneself diligently. She urged attendees to remain focused and avoid distractions.

The lecturer asserted that excellence is often achieved quietly through consistent effort before becoming visible. She further advised the girls not to fear failure but to learn from mistakes, dust themselves off, and persevere.

Dr. Emeagi emphasized the necessity of acquiring technological knowledge, regardless of one’s field.

As the curtain closed on the “End-of-the-year Sit-Out With Grandma,” the alumni returned home inspired to face the world, while their friends pledged to participate in the 2026 batch of the foundation’s summer boot camp.