By Adeyinka Adeniran
A non governmental organisation, BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation on Saturday empowered no fewer than 70 girls with laptops and home solar system in Ibadan.
This is as the founder of the group, the wife of the late former Ondo State 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, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu said there is a connection between Gender Based Violence (GBV) and poverty stressing the need for girls to be empowered so they can be financially independent.
She 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.
Betty said, “At the hearts of these 17 SDGs are 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.”
She decried low awareness and programmes on SDGs despite having offices and political appointments on SDGs.
“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.
Also, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo state Command, 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.
