BY OLUWATOSIN IGHOTEGUONO
The wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu has solicited support of the Federal University Of Technology, FUTA, Akure in the area of training and bridging the gender gap.
Mrs Akeredolu stated this when she led various groups of her initiatives on a courtesy visit to the new vice chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji in her office.
Mrs Akeredolu said the aim of the visit was to foster the undiluted relationship her office had been enjoining from the office of the VC and also intimate her with various programs the office of the governor’s wife was having especially the much anticipated BEMORE BOOT Camp slated to begin on the 21st of August , 2022, in Akure.
The wife of the governor said the BEMORE Programme an initiative birthed to instill, technological ideals, moral values, self independence, hygiene, entrepreneurial skill in girl child, adding that over three girls will participate this year.
“We give them the best; many of them from underprivileged homes. When they come to the camp, we expose them to a different world that they have not known before. We inspire them to work on attaining academic heights, and in the process, build careers and become beacons of hope to their families that could lead them out of poverty. “It’s a well cut-out programme. Though the well-to-do families also want their wards enlisted and we make room for them, but it is primarily designed for the underprivileged girls who at the end of the boot camp go home with brand new laptops and complete solar home systems. We teach our girls to be responsible, career minded young women. A breed without greed.” The First Lady said.
Mrs Akeredolu who lauded her appointment as the new VC of the institution said Women were now valued charging the VC to tap from all the other initiatives such as FOWOSO, BAFF, BRECAN AND TENNIS CLINIC for the betterment of the institution.
FUTA Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji expressed happiness on the visit saying the office of the first lady had done creditably in putting life into the girl child as it was not easy training them.
The FUTA VC expressed the hope that the BEMORE products, when graduated would influence the society positively.
“Bemore is another initiative that also empowers girls through training in ICT and Solar technology while helping them to achieve maximum potentials. Training a girl child is a serious business that only a woman can relate to, and we must commend the First Lady for making so much sacrifices to empower women and girls in the state. We are happy to identify with these wonderful initiatives and we are willing to sustain existing relationship.”
Professor Oladiji promised maximum support to all the programmes of the office of the first lady to achieve success thanking Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for finding the products of the institution worthy of different appointments in his cabinet.
The visit also witnessed exchange of gift between the wife of the Ondo state Governor and the FUTA Vice Chancellor.
The courtesy visit had in attendance top management of the federal university of technology, FUTA, Akure, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Juliana Oshadaun,, SSA gender to the ondo state governor, Mrs Olamide Falana, Representatives of BEMORE GIRLS, FOWOSO MEMBERS, BAFF representatives, Arabirin Tennis clinic representatives and BRECAN TEAM