The 2023 edition of the Bemore Summer Boot camp has taken off at Mabest Academy, Akure, Ondo State with a total of 350 participants.
The initiative which started six years ago, with the aim of bridging gender parity in Science, Technology, Mathematics and Entrepreneurship, has been beneficial to participants who are excelling and making profits with the skills they acquired at the camp.
The acting Governor of Ondo State who double as the Chairman of the occasion, H.E Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who specially applauded the First Lady of the State Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu for championing a cause to change gender narratives in world over.
The acting Governor who described BEMORE initiative which started 2017 has a transforming programme that has been building gender gap and potential urged the participants to utilize every skill learnt to better their lives.
His words: “BEMORE initiative appear to be the most potent machinery deployed by Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu to impact the life of a girl-child. We want to acknowledge the First Lady whose radical vision birthed BEMORE to promote the principle of gender balancing in a society rooted with gender stereotypes. I congratulate the participants and enjoy them to impact the positively with the knowledge acquired.”
Speaking on the topic: “Addressing Nutrition and Food Security in Nigeria- A Call to Action” Dr. Mbang Kooffreh-Ada, emphasized the need to eat right for good health. She said: “Lack of access to nutritious food and essential nutrients leads to stunted growth, wasting and a weakened immune system.
“Lack of good nutrition contributes to nearly half of all child deaths, that is more than three million children each year. The main indicator of childhood malnutrition is stunting hence the need to embrace balanced diet.”
While addressing the participants and the people of the state via virtual, the founder and the initiator of the programme, the wife of Ondo state governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu appreciated everyone and assured the people of the state that, the governor will soon be back home
” am currently in Germany providing the much needed care and psychosocial support to our Arakunrin, the good news is that, the storm is over and we are seeing the sunshine ” she said
” Mr governor is coming back soon and as we have all prayed and wished for”
Mrs Akeredolu said that the programme has been so eventful and of bounty harvests.
She therefore assured the girls that they have what it takes to emerge from as exceptional IT professionals and in other endeavor the programme has taught them.
Other dignitaries at the event are : the Secretary to the state government, Mrs Oladunni Odu, Speaker ODHA, Rt Hon Oladiji Olamide, Chief Olusola Oke SAN, Chief of Staff to the governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale and host of others.
