No fewer than 70 girls from Ibadan have been empowered with laptops, Solar System by a non governmental organisation, BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation.
Founder of the group, wife of the late former Ondo Governor, Dr Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, charged the girls to make positive impacts in the world and among people around them.
Speaking during the closing of the Summer Bootcamp organised by the NGO, Anyanwu-Akeredolu said there was a connection between Gender Based Violence (GBV) and poverty stressing the need for girls to be empowered so they can be financially independent.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu said women should be concerned and work towards eliminating feminised poverty that breeds violence at home and on the streets.
She reiterated the importance of aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by UN member states in 2015, a shared blue print for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
“At the hearts of these 17 SDGs p an urgent call for action by all countries- developed and developing in a global partnership.
“They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand in hand with strategies that improve health and education.
“And reduce inequality and spur economic growth- all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forest.”
“In BEMORE, we understood the role of SDGs and the benefits accruable if it could be implemented.
“That was why SDGs are like a jingle in BEMORE Summer Bootcamp since its inception in 2017,” she added.
She charged the participants of 2024 BEMORE Oyo to step down the training to other girls who were unable to attend.
The Chairman of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor, Dominican University, Prof Jacinta Opara charged the girls to put the training into good use and contribute to the development of the world.
“Remember you are the architect of your future and the world is full of opportunities and based on the skills acquired here there is no limit to what you can do,” Opara said.
Oyo Commissioner of Police Sonubi Ayodele, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Akinpelu, commended the organiser of the programme adding that it was crucial to the development of the country.
According to him, investing in the youths is a strategic means of security the future and engendering bright future for the nation.