A total of 100 girls from public secondary schools across the 16 local government areas in Ekiti State have been selected for a five-day Safe Space Holiday Empowerment Bootcamp held in Ado-Ekiti.
The program, organized by the World Bank Assisted Project, Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), under the Ekiti State Ministry of Education,
is designed to help young girls navigate the transition to adulthood.
Speaking at the opening session of the event, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Bimpe Aderiye (mni) described the boot camp as an extension of the Safe Space life skills sessions already being held in public secondary schools across the state.
She emphasized that this program will continue to be expanded, ensuring that all girls in public secondary schools in Ekiti State benefit from it.
Also addressing the participants, the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun applauded the initiative as being aligned with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to Human Capital Development .
He noted that Ekiti State is setting a pace that other states in Nigeria can emulate.
The Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Folakemi Olomojobi, who spoke on leadership, team building, and communication, reminded the girls that leadership stems from service, adding that anyone can lead without holding an official position.
She expressed her excitement about the program, calling it a platform to build the future of Ekiti State.
In her remarks, the Project Coordinator, Mrs. Yewande Adesua, explained that the bootcamp is aimed at not only grooming the girls academically but also instilling moral values, so they can contribute meaningfully to society.
She added that the bootcamp is part of the state’s broader agenda to promote vocational skills acquisition, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals of No Poverty, Quality Education, and Gender Equality.
Also speaking the component lead Mrs Gbenuola Ayedun said the programme is designed to provide a safe space for girls, fostering leadership, team building, and communication skills to empower them for a successful transition into adulthood.
AGILE COMMUNICATION OFFICER
Titilayo Osatoyinbo