By Maria Famakinwa

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All is set for today’s openng ceremony of this year’s Bemore Summer Boot Camp at Public Service Training Institute (PSTI), Ilara-Mokin, in Ifedore Local Government area of Ondo State, where another set of young girls will be empowered to prove to the world that no skill is gender specific.
Bemore Empowered Initiative was launched in the year 2017 by the First Lady of Ondo State, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu. It is an annual two-week summer boot camp where girls, aged 10-15, mostly from rural areas, are made to undergo intensive training on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which covers computer appreciation, digital literacy, software development, coding, web and application designing among others.
Participants are also trained on renewable energy, solar panel development, solar PV installation. Bemore participants also get trained on life enhancing skills such as bead making, soap making, baking, drawing, painting, tying of headgear (gele) and health talk among others.
Mrs Akeredolu in her efforts at bridging the noticeable gap between the girl-child and her male counterparts when it comes to technological advancement in Nigeria, maintained that the only way out is to educate the girl-child to enable her showcase the limitless capacities an educated woman possesses, and how she can translate those capacities into building a nation where development and inclusive growth reign supreme.
Bemore Summer Boot Camp, which has also been introduced in Imo State, has trained over 1,500 girls who are not only leading in their chosen careers but are also reproducing themselves by mentoring other girls to build a formidable network of change agents.
Few years after the establishment of Bemore initiative, it has grown and attracted the attention of notable global players, including Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) of the German International Cooperation (GIZ), The Nigeria Alternative Energy Expo (NAEE), The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) and Solar Sisters International, amongst others who have all committed to supporting the programme to achieve its goal of training 5000 girls before 2023.
Aside having a pool of credible outstanding alumni, BEMORE also prides itself as Nigeria’s largest girls only boot camp, with a strong focus on promoting gender inclusiveness within the ICT and renewable energy space.
Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu, in one of the programmes, described Bemore girls as barrier breakers and problem solvers. She said, “Bemore girls are carefully moulded with good characters and empowered with diverse skills to change the world. They have been exposed to various apprenticeship and training programmes that now arm them to be self-reliant. With them, such nasty experiences where men take advantage of a girl-child’s vulnerability are over.
“We are deliberately modelling these young ones to change the ill tides around the womenfolk to change the narrative about women and to let the world knows that women are very important to any society. As a matter of fact, any society that wishes to truly evolve must place premium on women’s development.”
The founder of Bemore, Ada OWERE 1, while expressing satisfaction about her conviction to train girls during the just concluded BEMORE closing ceremony in Imo State where participants went home with cash prizes, laptops and Solar devices, said that her vision was to groom girls to stand firm and defeat the social norms, beliefs and patriarchal tendency fashioned against the female gender.
Her words, “Our quest to position the girl-child to be self-reliant is the right thing to do; working to ensure gender equality is the right thing to do. So whatever the cost, whatever the loss, whatever the discomfort, I have chosen to do the right thing. You are all seated here today, regardless of your age and social status. You have the ability to do the right thing even when it is unpopular,” she said.
While exuding confidence of changing the narrative about the girl-child, the best graduating student in Imo State Bemore Summer Boot Camp, Miss Adaeze Ezinwa-Mbalewa, said,” With the knowledge I have acquired during the camp, I am not ashamed to be a girl. I can proudly say that what a boy can do I can also do.
“We are ready to be advocates of gender equality and climate protection through campaign for renewable energy, while working towards becoming future female technological leaders.”
One of the outstanding girls during the first set of BEMORE Summer Boot Camp, Miss Tolu Ehinmosan, who could not hide her joy for being a beneficiary of such a rare privilege said, “While in camp, we were taught Solar energy, how to mix solar panels, how to build solar oven and solar connections. With the training acquired at the boot camp, I was able to build a solar panel and make a solar oven for my secondary school. The knowledge gained then is currently aiding my learning as a student of Computer Engineering in University of Lagos.
“BEMORE Empowered Initiative not only trains girls but gives them the necessary connections, exposure and with courage to face a crowd. Through the programme, I have travelled within and outside the country. Bemore Summer Boot Camp gave me the opportunity to visit Iran for the World Energy Globe Award where we came out as finalists. All these would not have been possible without the committed efforts of Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ondo State First Lady whom I like referring to as my grandma.
“Her Excellency is a grandma to me and other Bemore sisters. She is an amazing personality with undiluted love for the girl-child, because she grew up understanding the importance of educating a girl-child to contribute meaningfully to the society. Grandma believes that a girl-child can Bemore which is the reason she has continued with the Bemore programme.
“Words cannot describe my unlimited joy for meeting Ada OWERE 1. Honestly speaking, I don’t know what would have become of my life without her. Her presence in my life restored lost hope. An amazing personality, articulate, a goal getter, capacity leader, trainer, inspiring and a wonderful woman. My caring grandma. She is one of a kind. I will forever cherish your unique love for a girl-child to Bemore.”
“I want to advise other Bemore sisters to take the skills acquired during the Summer Boot Camp with all seriousness because they cannot say where such skills will be useful to them. Currently, one of the Bemore girls is undertaking a course in Solar Engineering based on the interest she developed during the camp.
“I am thankful that Ondo State First Lady has extended the programme to Imo State, hoping that it will be extended to other States in the country so that more girls can Bemore. I pray that God will continue to sustain her to impact more lives.”
Also appreciating Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a 2018 Bemore participant, Miss Marvelous Jegede, described Bemore Empowered Initiative as the magic needed to transform her life positively.
She said, “Before I attended the camp, my house was in total darkness for two years, due to electricity problem in the country. After the camp, I made up my mind to solve the electricity problem in my area based on the knowledge gained in the camp. I was able to install a solar energy that powered my home with the help of BEMORE technical partner (Ashdam) and KEYHOLE MEDIA.
“Besides, I was taught how to produce reusable sanitary pads during the camp with which I have trained over 200 girls and I have started production of eco friendly reusable sanitary pads for sale.
“Through BEMORE EMPOWERED INITIATIVE, I got my first ever huge contract of producing 500 tote bags. Through the programme, I have been opportuned to travel to over seven states across the country to attend conferences and workshops. BEMORE EMPOWERED INITIATIVE, has connected me to important personalities and won me over three awards. Through BEMORE, I boarded aeroplane for the very first time in my life. What more can I ask for? BEMORE is where hidden potentials are unlocked in young Nagerian girls.
“My Grandma, Her excellency Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is a rare gem, one in a million grandma, unique and passionate at achieving any course she is championing. She did not only give us fish but also trained us how to fish.
Her own style of leadership and philanthropy is second to none. She is straight forward and treats everyone equally. She is the best grandma anyone could have wish for, ever caring and loving.
“Her own first Lady is the combination of digital, solar and social lives. The most active First Lady ever, if Nigeria can have more first ladies like her, the country will be a better place for all. Lots of love. Thank you grandma”.