Ondo Government restates Commitment To build Female Future Leaders.
The Wife of Ondo State Governor, Chief Betty Akeredolu has reiterated her dedication to building strong future female leaders as a way to mark the 2022 International Day of the Girl Child on October 11.
The International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations that seeks to empower girls and highlight the needs and challenges that girls face throughout the globe.
The 2022 observance also doubles as the 10th anniversary of the annual celebration.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu who is the founder of the Bemore Empowered Girls Foundation, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and solar boot camp, has said that she will never relent on her passion for building girls in areas of leadership and technology who shall in turn, support Nigeria and help the nation overcome various obstacles.
The First Lady speaking on the theme of the day “Our time is now—our rights, our future” , stressed that leadership is gender-neutral and gave examples of women including herself who overcame various challenges in their quest to shatter the proverbial “glass ceiling”.
She said: “Whatever your male counterpart can do, you can likewise do, and even do better. It is indeed our time!
“My story, as a village girl from the remote Emeabiam, Owerri West, Imo State, who faced and scaled many hurdles to become a towering First Lady should remind you that female education is not a waste.
“Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who now serves as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization is the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization as president tells of the capacity of a woman.
“Team Nigeria, at the 22nd edition of the Commonwealth Games, which was concluded on August 8 in Birmingham, United Kingdom won the most medals. The Nigerian team won 12 gold, nine silver, and 14 bronze medals. Women won all 12 gold medals and currently, in Iran, teenage girls are leading the protests for women’s rights.”
Anyanwu-Akeredolu encouraged young girls in Ondo State and beyond to aim higher.
“Gone are the days you would be made to play the second fiddle role because you are a girl. The world now belongs to both men and women and in fact, women are making new impressions as opposed to being the ‘weaker vessel’. Women are leading the global space as much as men are.
“You can achieve whatever your mind can conceive if you believe. Nothing is stopping you as a woman, you can become anything and can belong anywhere, including heads of Institutions and government,” she said.
The First Lady however emphasised the fact that girls around the world continue to confront tremendous hurdles to their education, physical and emotional welfare, and the protection needed for a life free of violence.
“Over the years there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst governments, policymakers and the general public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage.
“Yet, investments in girls’ rights remain limited and girls continue to confront a myriad of challenges to fulfilling their potentials including child marriages, poor learning opportunities, violence, and discrimination.
Anyanwu Akeredolu also called on stakeholders to respond to their tasks by nurturing spaces for gender inclusion in decision-making, supporting quality, inclusive education and prioritization of the well-being of young girls.
Olusola Akintonde
