The Ekiti State Government has concluded the 2025 edition of the Safe Space Holiday Empowerment Boot Camp, a flagship initiative designed to equip adolescent girls with life skills, leadership training, and digital literacy.
The two-week programme, organised by the Ministry of Education through the World bank assisted Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, was held at the Ekiti State Government College, Ado-Ekiti, from August 10 to 23. A total of 198 girls drawn from 100 public secondary schools across the state participated.
Declaring the camp open, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye (mni) , urged students to make the best use of opportunities provided by government to secure a brighter future. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Michael Omolayo, she explained that the boot camp was conceived by the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration to empower the girl child beyond classroom learning.
“This boot camp is the idea of His Excellency, designed to provide enriching experiences for the girl child. These cover vocational skills, character development, and opportunities they cannot just learn in school. This is the second edition, after the maiden one in 2024, and it has been expanded to accommodate more girls in two batches,” she said.
The State AGILE Project Coordinator, Mrs. Yewande Adesua, noted that the programme was not only about skills acquisition but also about building courage and lifelong friendships.
“This boot camp brings our girls together from different schools to network, establish friendships, and gain confidence to face life’s challenges. There is a saying that your network determines your net worth. This camp gives our girls a safe space to be vulnerable without shame, helping them build courage and resilience,” she said.
During the programme, participants were trained in reusable sanitary pad production, Adire tie-dye, rug-making, creative decoration with plastic sponges, and basic sign language. They also benefitted from lectures on leadership, public speaking, gender-based violence awareness, digital literacy, addiction prevention, environmental conservation, and personal grooming. Recreational activities such as morning drills, movie nights, and a talent showcase complemented the training.
The screening of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti inspired the girls with values of resilience and advocacy, while The Girl highlighted adolescent health issues.
Speaking with newsmen at the end of the programme, the Component Lead, Mrs. Gbenuola Ayedun, described the Safe Space Boot Camp as a vital platform for raising confident, knowledgeable, and socially responsible young women. She reaffirmed government’s commitment to sustaining and expanding the initiative in line with Governor Oyebanji’s vision of empowering adolescent girls and promoting inclusive education.
Eariler, the Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Rhoda Ojo, commended the project for investing in the holistic development of girls, noting that it would “bridge the gap between academic excellence and moral discipline.”
Similarly, the Director-General of the Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, Mrs. Famuyiwa Olawuumi, urged participants to take the programme seriously, describing it as “a rare opportunity to gain the right values and civic awareness needed for nation building.”
Representing the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs. Adetayo Desola emphasized that the Safe Space Programme aligns with the government’s commitment to ensuring equal access to quality education for all girls, especially those in vulnerable communities.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Olusola Gbega Igotun, highlighted the health component of the initiative, stressing that the mentorship sessions had educated participants on hygiene, reproductive health, and the importance of making informed life choices.
Participants however, expressed excitement about the opportunities the Safe Space Programme exposed them to, noting that the knowledge and skills gained would go a long way in shaping their lives and positively impacting their communities.