By Rukayat Adeyemi
60 adolescent girls, on Friday graduated from STEM Hub for Empowerment (S.H.E)Cohort three free training programme, facilitated by the Centre for Integrated Health Programs(CIHP) in Lagos.
The S.H.E project, funded by the US Centres For Diseases Control and Prevention (US CDC)was specifically geared towards empowering vulnerable young girls in Nigeria in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics(STEM).
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the beneficiaries were trained in digital skills such as: Coding, digital technology, Technology Engineering.
They were also trained in social media marketing,life skills,mental health support, and financial literacy.
In her welcome address, Dr Bola Oyeledun,Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of CIHP,said that the S.H.E training was designed for girls between the ages of 16 and 24.
Oyeledun said that a total of 180 young girls have been trained in the last one year.
She said that the beneficiaries were selected from the National Vulnerability Index register obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development.
She explained that using the provided index,the prospective beneficiaries were placed on a scale of vulnerability to determine their qualifications for the training.
“The training is really focused on very vulnerable girls,who otherwise would not have any access to such in the society.
“We used the index to make sure that we are reaching the most vulnerable people in the society,” she said.
According to her, the S.H.E has been able to boost the interest and inclination of the girls for STEM courses.
She said that it had also transformed their total being and focus in life, due to the intensive training they were exposed to.
The CIHP boss said that the present harsh economic conditions in the country propelled the sponsorship of the training by the US CDC.
“Many people were living below poverty level and needed help, especially the young vulnerable children, to prevent exposing them to social vices, sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and unwanted pregnancies.
“Our aim is to lift the girls out of such background, boost their self-esteem, and place them on a level playing field with their privileged counterparts.
“We ensured that the beneficiaries got online certifications, right accreditation to get their work done, as well as placement for internships and link-up with mentors”,she said.
Following the need for expansion and increase in the number of beneficiaries, Oyeledun said that a S.H.E Hub centre has been established at Obalende-Ikoyi axis with support from the United States Government.
She said that the Obalende centre would cater for girls living in that environment, while also complementing the Ikeja centre.
She said that across the world, girls were progressively left more behind in STEM and traditionally placed for social jobs like hairdressing, make-up, and baking.
She charged the graduands to improve on the knowledge and skills they had acquired at the S.H.E hub.
She urged them to forge ahead with determination, focus and passion to impact the world positively and be a better version of themselves.
A board member of CIHP, Mr Emmanuel Eneh, congratulated the graduands and charged them to make use of the skills acquired.
Eneh also advised them to take advantage of the opportunities in the Information and Technology industry.
Also,Senior Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Eniola Opeyemi, lauded CIHP for organising such a transformative training, and supporting the girl child.
Opeyemi said that the programme aligned with the “THEME PLUS” agenda of Gov.Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He urged other sister organisations to follow suit, in order to support and complement the state government’s effort.
A beneficiary, Miss Oluwatunmininu Ogini, appreciated CIHP and the US CDC for the lifetime opportunity given to her through the training to bring out her inner and hidden potentials.
Ogini said that the mental health training she embarked on helped her to balance her mental health, while the life skill class helped her to become assertive.
She said that the financial literature class taught her how to save and do proper budgeting, while the coding class helped her to create a cat website due to her love for cats.
A parent, Mrs Taiwo Wellington,thanked CIHP for considering the vulnerable children for the training.
Wellington said that the skills her daughter acquired during the training gave her hope for a better future(NAN)
