Don’t Bow to Gender Prejudices, Stereotypes, Aiyedatiwa Tells Bemore Graduands

• Bemore Has Built Bridges Across Ethnic, Religious, Political Lines – Mrs Akeredolu

Ondo Acting Governor, Honourable Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has charged the graduating Bemore girls to cease to succumb to gender discriminations, religious and cultural biases, inferiority complex and other forms of gender stereotypes.

Aiyedatiwa gave the charge on Saturday in his address at the valedictory programme for Bemore Ondo 2023, held at Mabest Academy, Oke-Ijebu, Akure, Ondo State Capital.

He charged: “Your voice must be heard louder and you must go out to represent your gender creditability in all facets of life. What you have been offered here is a world class opportunity which can stand you side by side with your contemporary across the globe. Never again must you succumb to gender discrimination, religious and cultural biases, inferiority complex and other forms of gender stereotypes.

“You have undergone here a multidimensional training, including skills acquisition, digital entrepreneurial skill and leadership training. Every one of you is definitely going back home as a changed person. The transformation has not only fortified you to aim higher, you are also sufficiently empowered to own your future.
This intensive training you have been given must be nurturing to your will power to put into practice all that you have learned during this period.”

Earlier, Ondo Governor’s Wife and Founder of the Bemore Empowered Girls’ Foundation, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has averred that Bemore, through the yearly summer boot camp for Nigerian girls, has built sturdy bridges across ethnic, religious, political and economic lines.

In her farewell address, the First Lady said: “Bemore thrives on building capacities as well as building lives. We have since built sturdy bridges across ethnic, religious, political and economic boundaries by turning lives around and yearly enlarging our empire of female champions.

“Over the years, we have built incredible talents in solar technology, ICT and built towering entrepreneurs. And as we build, we give them out as bricks for building a virile, fair and just society.”

In the address delivered virtually, titled ‘Bemore Has Come to Stay: Joining Hands to Build Our Own Jerusalem’, Mrs Akeredolu said the sixth edition of Bemore is the only one she wasn’t physically part of its making since the founding of Bemore Summer Boot Camp, six years ago.

In her words: “While all Bemore girls are very dear to me, let me note that the 2023 set occupies a peculiar place in my heart for personal reasons, and as such, I look forward to seeing them achieve special wins.

“It may interest you all to know that, since the founding of Bemore Summer Boot Camp, six years ago, this is the only edition, in the series, that I was not physically part of its making. And, perhaps, this explains why I consider the set as unique in a way. Having given them the best in the various spheres, it is time to formally release them to take on the world.”

The First Lady who said the over three thousands girls already produced in six editions of Bemore boot camp deserve a befitting permanent camp, called on well meaning citizens, friends and associates to join her in building a training camp for Bemore girls.

“Having built over three thousands of vibrant young women who are making waves on different fronts around the world, it is only ideal to build for these geniuses a place they all can call a home; a befitting edifice where the generations of Bemore girls would freely meet, mix and make things happen.

“We are calling on all well meaning citizens, corporate bodies, donor agencies to join us in building a home for these problem solvers; to join us in securing a lustrous legacy that will outlive us all and last for generations; to join hands with me in erecting enduring halls that would stand as a memorabilia in your honour when we have all gone; to donate structures in your names that would remind the world into the far future of what roles you played in the struggle for the emancipation of the girl child in this nation and the continent even when we are no longer here.” Mrs Akeredolu said.

The valedictory programme featured, among other things, exhibition of the products of the two-week training programme, musical performance by Bemore girls, breast health talk/ Sekem dance, presentation of laptops, solar home systems, Art auction, goodwill messages, speech of the valedictorian and presentation of certificates.

By Debo Akinbami