In a remarkable collaboration aimed at uplifting the girl child, the Starcrest for Women in Africa Foundation brought together a coalition partnering with the Office of the Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs Secretariat FCTA, Hasam Foundation, and Lassie Empowerment Foundation focusing on fostering leadership, enhancing gender awareness, and promoting mentorship among girls.
The initiative began with the theme “Girls Vision for the Future”hosted at Government Girls Secondary School Dutse, Abuja, in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child.
This event aimed to launch the “Project Empower Her Africa,” a campaign designed to equip girls with the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
The Executive Director of the Starcrest Foundation, Barr. Esther Omenka, articulated the mission of the project: “Project Empower Her Africa Gen Alpha is not just a program; but a movement aimed at transforming the mindset of young girls from ‘I cannot’ to ‘I can.’ We are providing leadership training and gender awareness to instill confidence and help them realize their potential. This initiative will extend across every geopolitical zone in Nigeria and throughout Africa.”
Omenka further underscored the vital role of mentorship: “We believe in peer-to-peer mentoring. By connecting girls with mentors, we create a ripple effect that fosters growth and support. Today is about establishing a lasting mentorship scheme in schools, ensuring that these girls receive guidance long after this event.”
She addressed the pressing challenges faced by girls in Africa, including early marriage and gender-based violence: “At Starcrest, we are dedicated to changing the narrative for marginalized girls. We are breaking the stigma that holds them back and empowering them to believe they can achieve anything they set their minds to.”
The Executive Director expressed her appreciation to Hon. Adedayo, the Wife of the Ona of Abaji, Hajiha Hauwa Adamu and the collaborative efforts to empower the African girl child.She highlighted the initiative’s commitment to breaking the stigmatization and marginalization faced by these girls, enabling them to dream big and achieve their goals.
“Today, we are here not only to provide leadership capacity training but also to raise awareness about gender-based violence, which is crucial for the protection of the girl child. I am grateful to our partners, and it’s a privilege to have the Mandate Secretary and our royal mother here to support this important cause.”
The mandate secretary for Women Affairs Secretariat FCTA, Hon. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, emphasized the importance of education and mentorship using the illustration of a student named Ifynanya who exhibited strength , courage and appreciated the mentorship of her Literature To who taught her what she knows which has earned her scholarship.
” We just have to connect it to their DNA, one of the scholarship beneficiary today said it was her Literature Teacher who connected her to her price from presentation through pair training, he didn’t do the training himself, he got her pairs to listen to her and groom her and that made ifynanya the winner today, that we all celebrated. Ifynanya is a reference to every girl child anywhere, all over Nigeria”. She said
Adedayo emphasized that every woman, regardless of her background, will encounter challenges that test her strength and resilience. These experiences can be humbling, even crushing, but they also serve as a crucible for growth.
The mandate secretary received the much coveted award of the StarCrest Quintessential Woman of the Year 2024 for her remarkable dedication and tireless advocacy for the empowerment and advancement of the girl child.
In the same vein, notable women leaders were also awarded for their unwavering dedication to the eradication of the marginalization of Women in Africa.
Professor Hauwa Ibrahim received the StarCrest woman Advocate of the year; Her Royal Highness, Hauwa Adamu Ibrahim received the Royal Mother of the year Barr. Esther Omenka received the StarCrest Woman Icon of the year; Olajumoke Adeniyi, Shetu Gamaliel, Queenette Martins, Barr. Pamela Ozigbu, Amb. Rita Mark, Luscord Integrated Services Limited, Esv. Toyin Ilori and Mrs Deborah Bonire amongst others were other awardees.
The Executive Director expressed her appreciation to Hon. Adedayo, the Wife of the Ona of Abaji, Hajiha Hauwa Adamu and the collaborative efforts to empower the African girl child.She highlighted the initiative’s commitment to breaking the stigmatization and marginalization faced by these girls, enabling them to dream big and achieve their goals.
“Today, we are here not only to provide leadership capacity training but also to raise awareness about gender-based violence, which is crucial for the protection of the girl child. I am grateful to our partners, and it’s a privilege to have the Mandate Secretary and our royal mother here to support this important cause.”
The Coordinator for the African Women Conference Next, Shetu Gamaliel on her part shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration: “Being here today is a blessing. Our partnership with Starcrest Foundation aligns with our goal to empower the next generation. We aim to be role models and show these girls the right path. Today, we are providing hygiene kits and awarding a scholarship to Ifynanya, who excelled in poetry. This is just the beginning of our commitment to their future.”
