By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
The Ondo State Government, through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on gender has empowered 127 boys with digital, entrepreneur, sports and leadership skills.
The second edition of the programme tagged ‘Ondo Super Boy Tech-n -LEAD Camp 2.0’, was aimed at harnessing the potentials of adolescent boys to take advantage of the benefits of the technological advancement of the 21st century as well build leadership skills in them.
The 12 days camping exercise held at the Seat of Wisdom College, Alagbaka, Akure, with participants trained with the basic knowledge of technology, skills acquisition, and information and communication technology (ICT), Leadership, Entrepreneurship skills and Attitude building sessions, sports, among others.
While addressing the participants during the closing ceremony of the programme, the Acting Governor of the State, Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa said that the State government will continue to support the initiative to ensure boy-child in the State benefit maximally from the programme.
Represented by the Special Assistant on Youths and Student Affairs, Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi, he charged participants to dispense and showcase the capacity of the training which he believed will make them compete with their peers across the World.
Also, the First Lady of the State, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu who was represented by Prince Alex Ukar commended the office of the Gender for looking inward in raising the boys, urging beneficiaries to go into the world and make significant impact.
The Special Adviser on Education, Dr. Olawumi Ilawole, who noted that education is not limited to the classrooms, urged parents of beneficiaries to support and encourage them to explore what they have learnt.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Gender, Chief Mrs Olamide Falana, stated that the Ondo State government will continue to explore more viable means to ensure that the potentials of its youthful population are not left untapped.
Falana stated that the essence of gender equality is by ensuring that both sexes are treated with the same arm of equality as that is the way to achieve the goal of leaving no one behind.
According to her, the initiative has the intention of ensuring that young boys have the advantage that girls in the State already have.
“Even though there’s a global gender inequality gap, we also do not want to leave any gender behind, That’s why we have this programme to target our adolescent boys, building in them leadership skills, entrepreneurship ability and right attitude in them.
“We believe that when they have these skills, it will go a long way in molding them and set their foot on the right path when they eventually become men. It will open their eyes to ways of making money “.
She advised them to make good use of what they have learnt in the camp and imbibe them in their day to day activities as it will help them get to the top in any career they choose in life.
A partner, and the Director of Super boy Nigeria, Mrs Taiwo Akindeko said her vision is to raise the boys to greatness as the focus of the society has always been on girl- child.
Oher dignitaries at the event include representative of the Minister for Marine and blue economy,Olobunmi Tunji-Ojo, Commissioners, other political appointees among others.
Highlights of the event include, presentation of prizes and certificates, exhibition, showcasing talents, among others.
