BEMORE Summer Bootcamp 2024: Empowering Young Nigerian Girls to Lead Change – Anyanwu-Akeredolu

…as participants receive brand-new laptops and solar home systems

The 2024 edition of the BEMORE Summer Bootcamp 4Girlsnaija concluded with a powerful call to action for the participants. The girls, now equipped with new skills and knowledge, were urged to become leaders in transforming their communities and the world.

Chief (Dr.) Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the Founder of the Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation, delivered this message during her closing remarks at the ceremony held at Lead City International School in Ibadan on Saturday. She emphasized the crucial role the girls must play as change agents within their communities and encouraged them to maximize the use of the tools they were given, particularly the brand-new laptops and solar home systems. She emphatically advised, “DON’T SELL THEM!” emphasizing that these tools are meant to pave their way toward financial independence.

Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu highlighted how BEMORE has effectively used the bootcamp to raise awareness about breast cancer, encouraging the girls to spread the message of early detection 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 noted.

She expressed her hope that the skills acquired during the bootcamp, whether in technology or trades like makeup and gele tying, would enable the girls to become income earners and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth. She also connected financial independence to the reduction of gender-based violence, pointing out that poverty often exacerbates domestic violence.

Addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu 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 SDGs to help them become familiar with these critical global targets. “It’s about time the Nigerian government took SDGs seriously in order to meet the 2030 set targets,” she remarked.

The BEMORE founder also expressed pride in the ongoing efforts of the BEMORE SISTERS NETWORK, an alumni group dedicated to mentoring and training other girls in their communities. She praised their commitment and urged well-meaning Nigerians to sponsor more girls from humble backgrounds to participate in future bootcamps.

Reflecting on her inspiration for founding BEMORE, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu spoke of her own upbringing and the transformative power of kindness, as demonstrated by Oprah Winfrey. She expressed optimism that the BEMORE girls would continue to recruit more members, helping them to become better versions of themselves and contributing to a better Nigeria for all. She also paid tribute to her late husband, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, the immediate past Governor of Ondo State, for his support of BEMORE, describing him as a husband who valued and recognized the need to empower women.

Prof. Jacinta Opara, Vice-Chancellor of Dominican University Ibadan and Chairman of the occasion, lauded the transformation of the girls during the two-week camp. She noted that the bootcamp was not just a series of sessions but a profound journey of self-discovery, learning, and growth. Prof. Opara highlighted that the BEMORE Summer Bootcamp is Africa’s largest initiative in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and entrepreneurship, equipping the girls with invaluable skills that will benefit them 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,” Prof. Opara told the girls, reminding them that they are the architects of their future. She also commended Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu for her unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders, emphasizing that her dedication will have a lasting impact for generations to come.

The Special Guest of Honour, CP Sonubi Ayodele, who is also the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, described the BEMORE initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future. He noted that the bootcamp came at a crucial time for grooming the next generation of leaders, who are expected to assert themselves positively in all areas of life. Represented by ACP Oni Abayomi, the Area Commander, the CP encouraged the participants to use their newly acquired skills and knowledge to follow pathways of accountability and responsibility.

Mr. Adesoji Arimoro, a representative of Ari Professional Services, expressed his delight in being part of BEMORE’s mission to bridge the gender gap in STEM and entrepreneurship. He announced that his organization would provide free business consultation services to 12 of the girls, including two who are 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, setting up accounting records, providing tax services, and more, over a period of at least three years,” he explained.

The event also featured exhibitions of items produced by the girls, the presentation of the 2024 Valedictorian, and the distribution of laptops, solar systems, and certificates to around one hundred participants.