The 2023 Girl’s Leadership & Mentoring (GLAM) Summer Camp in Lagos has commenced with great enthusiasm and support from two empowering organizations, the Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation (CEF) and the Ornaments of Grace and Virtues Initiative (OGAV). This year marks the 6th edition of GLAM, and the 10th anniversary of OGAV, under the theme “I’M A Girl: Carrier Exploration with Health & Wellness.”
Representatives from CEF and OGAV proudly gathered to kick off the event, with Mrs. Helen Egbe, the Executive Director of CEF, standing in for Mr. Barnabas Olise, the Managing Director/CEO of Cakasa Nigeria Company Limited (CNC). They expressed their commitment to nurturing and empowering young girls from low-income families in Education District I, Agege, Lagos State.
In his address, Mr. Olise praised Mrs. Busola Kolade, the President and Founder of OGAV, for her dedication and vision in empowering girls to become independent, responsible, and influential young women who positively impact society. He expressed his pride in the collaboration between Cakasa Nigeria Company and Cakasa Ebenezer Foundation with OGAV, emphasizing the transformative power of education and mentorship in the lives of these young girls. He also quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, highlighting the importance of believing in oneself and overcoming challenges.
The CEO announced that CEF had offered scholarships to ten girls who had previously participated in the GLAM Camp, supporting them in their academic journey up to the university level. He stressed the significance of education beyond the classroom, recognizing OGAV’s efforts to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the girls during their summer holidays. He also acknowledged the hindrance caused by the lack of access to basic hygiene products, which often disrupts girls’ education. In response, OGAV is providing reusable sanitary pads to support their health and well-being, ensuring they can attend school without interruption.
Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), represented by Mr. Oladipupo Odebowale, Head of NIDCOM, Lagos, commended Mrs. Kolade for her work in empowering the girl-child, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. She emphasized that educating girls is crucial for reducing illiteracy, inequality, and poverty and encouraged the students to be confident and diligent in pursuing their dreams.
Mrs. Kolade, in her goodwill message, welcomed the students and urged them to be change agents in society. She emphasized that the Summer Camp provides structured opportunities for enriching experiences in a safe environment, counteracting the risks associated with unsafe activities during the summer holidays, especially for economically disadvantaged students.
This year’s GLAM Summer Camp is hosting 1000 girls from 15 different schools and will run from July 24 to August 18. The camp was declared open by Mr. Adebowale Adeoye Bashir, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of Education District 1, represented by Mrs. Oluwakemi Oyegbile, the Director of Co-Curricular Science & Technology, Education District 1.
