In what would be best described as a harvest of accolades in Akure, Wife of Ondo State Governor, Her Excellency, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has been applauded for her giant strides towards nation building through technology-based female education. The commendations poured in during the graduation of 400 techy girls and presentation of 400 laptops to participants of the 2018 Bemore Summer Bootcamp for Girls Naija held at Federal University of Technology Akure, main auditorium.
Speaking at the event, Wife of Ekiti State Governor-elect, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, who chaired the occasion, described Ondo State First Lady as an agent of positive change and a visionary leader. She said that the training of the techy girls is an assurance of not just a better Ondo State, but Nigeria at large. Mrs Fayemi said Ekiti State under Fayemi’s administration will borrow a leaf from Mrs Akeredolu’s program.
In his own address as the royal father of the day, the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, HRM Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye OON, gave kudos to Mrs Akeredolu for taking a bold step towards nation building. Oba Adeleye, said the bootcamp has given the girls an advantage of becoming self employed or gainfully employed and expressed hope that the training will take the girls to national limelight like the likes of Linda Ikeji and Maxwell Adedeji.
In a goodwill message, the vice chancellor of Federal University of Technology Akure, described the training as a solid foundation for a better tomorrow for the young girls and commended Mrs Akeredolu for demonstrating an exemplary leadership in the promotion of girl-child education.
The special guest of honour who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Felix Oguntade, challenged the girls to take their future in their hands by putting into good use the wealth of knowledge gathered at the bootcamp and pledged continued partnership with Ondo State Government.
The chairman of Ondo State Oil producing Areas Development Commission, Barr. Olugbenga Edema and the representative of Ondo State in Niger Delta Development Commission, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa, who were the major sponsors of the program, in their different goodwill messages extolled Ondo State First Lady on her visionary leadership and assured her of their continued support and called on the girls to make Ondo State proud.
In her valedictory speech, Jerry Asooto Bosola of Greater Tomorrow Int’l School, Arigidi Akoko lauded Mrs Akeredolu for setting their feet on the path of progress through the university of life, and assured her that they wouldn’t let her down.
Some of the parents of the girls who spoke to news men at the event, showered praises on the Sunshine State First Lady and prayed God to bless her.
The event featured presentations of certificates and laptops to the 400 girls, exhibitions, cultural display, Bemore mass choir presentation.
Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Barr. Agboola Ajayi and his wife, other top government functionaries and FOWOSO members were in attendance.
Others were BRECAN members, parents of the girls and all the partners and sponsors of the program.
