The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof. Adenike Oladiji has called for the establishment of centers for mentorship and role modeling so as to connect young women with accomplished female leaders.
Prof. Oladiji stated this at the Becoming 2025 Symposium in Akure on Saturday to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration.
The event was convened by Dr. Yetunde Olagbuji of the Youth Health and Life Skills Development Initiatives.
The FUTA VC represented by Prof. Christianah Ijagbemi said to accelerate action and pave way for future female leaders, a multifaceted strategy must be implemented.
Some of these strategies as mentioned by the VC, who is also the keynote speaker, harped on the need for women to know the power of self-worth and identity; the need to build self-esteem; the need for education and economic empowerment; technological integration; community engagement, mental health support and policy advocacy.
“The challenges before us are significant, but they are not insurmountable. By accelerating our actions, fostering supportive ecosystems, and championing the potential of every young women, we can usher in an era where female leadership is the norm, not the exception,” she said.
Other speakers were Mrs Temitope Momoh and Ms Bukola Oladeji who encouraged the students at the event to be purposeful in achieving their life goals.
Earlier, the Convener, Dr. Yetunde Olagbuji warned the students against the evils of the social media. She said she once saw a video of some females dancing naked on the internet and was worried about the future of the adolescents.
Dr Olagbuji urged the students to be careful of who they follow on the social media, warning that most influencers on the platforms live fake lives.
She said her initiative program was borne out of divine instruction, adding that she won’t be deterred in her quest to ensure that the average Nigerian girl live a life of purpose.
She used the opportunity of the occasion to handover a pack containing the books she had written which addressed the challenges facing adolescents and solutions to them.
The students at the event were drawn from schools in Akure metropolis, namely; College of Health Technology; Federal Girls Government College; Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School; Ijapo High School; BGB Schools, Preston International School and Impact International School.
Highlights of the event was a presentation of a documentary of the struggles of the adolescents in Nigeria. Also, there was a panel discussion and a communique read at the end of the symposium.
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