Betty Akeredolu’s BeMore Foundation Organises Tech Summer Bootcamp In Oyo

News/Opinion

Betty Akeredolu’s BeMore Foundation Organises Tech Summer Bootcamp In Oyo

Reported by Ayooluwa Afolabi & Iteoluwa Anifowose

Former first lady of Ondo State and founder of the BEMORE EMPOWERED GIRLS’ FOUNDATION, Chief (Dr.) Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu has organized a tech summer boot camp for young girls in Oyo State, BEMORE SUMMER BOOTCAMP FOR NAIJA GIRLS 2024” is part of the foundation’s mission to bridge the gender gap in technology and empower Nigerian young girls.

The foundation was established in 2017 and has hosted the Bootcamp in Ondo and Imo state.

On Monday, the 2024th edition was held at the Lead City International School, Jericho, Ibadan with over 100 participants who enrolled to acquire ICT and Solar Tech skills.

At the opening ceremony, Dr. Betty Akeredolu emphasized that the BeMore Foundation project was initiated as a carefully planned program, drawing from her experience as a young girl from a small and demoted village in Imo state.

“I remember when I launched the BeMore project, members of the public were saying that it was just one of the many projects that first ladies come up with to siphon money. They even went as far as saying that my husband, who was the governor at that time, was using the foundation to divert public funds.”

“BeMore Foundation is not an Ondo State program, it is my project and a fiercely independent NGO fostering the advancement of the girl child in Nigeria. It came about from my experience as a young girl living in a village in Imo State and seeing how it was a largely marginalized society,” she noted.

She noted that her travel experience across the world, and then perceiving how the girl child was supported in other continents inspired her to establish the BeMore foundation, whose aim is to help and advocate for the rights of women and girls in Nigeria.

“My experiences as a first lady who had widely travelled to countries all over the world and seeing how the girl child is pampered and well-treated in other continents made me start up the BeMore foundation, to help advance the cause of women and girls in Nigeria.”

The Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Minister of State for Youth Development, Hon. Olawande Ayo Wisdom, highlighted the power of women in society, noting that it is of utmost importance that they build women up from the beginning.

“The principle of second creation emphasizes just how beautiful and powerful women are, there is a huge gap between men and women in society and it is admirable that a woman came up with the idea of this foundation, not because of money or what she stands to gain but to empower young girls and fill up the gap in this society.”

“By supporting this foundation, you ensure that it leaves a legacy of impacting hundreds of women with skills, who will better society. The future will tell and it is important for us as individuals to support foundations like BeMore,” the honourable minister noted.

Dignitaries and organizations in attendance at the event, include the GMD/CEO of Oodua Investments, Mr Abdulrahman Yinusa, Mr Seun Abimbola SAN, representing WE Africa Limited, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Mrs Titi Adeyemi, the former Oyo state commissioner for women, alumni of the University of Nigeria amongst others.