The Ekiti Women in Management (EKWIM) has extended its School Outreach Programme to Government College, Oye-Ekiti, as part of efforts to mentor, inspire and equip students with the knowledge and values required for excellence and purposeful living.
Speaking during the outreach programme, the Coordinator of EKWIM and Permanent Secretary, Office of Cabinet and Special Services, Dr Oyeyemi Kayode-Ojo, said the initiative was aimed at nurturing the next generation of leaders and responsible citizens.
Kayode-Ojo explained that the programme aligned with the core mandate of EKWIM to guide young people in discovering their potentials and preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the development of Ekiti State, Nigeria and the global community.
She urged the students to dream with purpose and confidence, noting that every accomplished professional was once a student.
According to her, good character remains the foundation of lasting success, stressing the need for students to embrace the cherished Omoluabi values of integrity, diligence, humility, respect and excellence.
“Academic achievements may create opportunities, but character sustains them,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary also encouraged the students not to be discouraged by their backgrounds but to maximise available opportunities, particularly the positive use of technology for learning, skill acquisition and personal development.
She further challenged them to cultivate the habit of going the extra mile through extensive reading, skill acquisition, prayer and dedication to their studies and personal growth.
In a presentation on career development, a legal practitioner, Mrs Yetunde Kalawole, emphasised the importance of making informed career choices.
Kalawole noted that choosing the right career path was critical to personal and professional success, warning that inadequate preparation for the future could result in avoidable challenges.
“A future you do not prepare for may eventually embarrass you when you get there,” she said.
She advised the students to choose careers that align with their interests, strengths and values, adding that such alignment promotes fulfilment, happiness, financial stability and long-term security.
Also speaking, the Project Coordinator of the Adolescent Gils Initiative for Leaning and Empowerment (AGILE) ,Mrs Yewande Adesua, urged the students to take advantage of the outreach programme to acquire knowledge and skills that would prepare them for a brighter future.
Adesua stressed the importance of diligence, discipline and attention to detail, describing them as essential qualities for achieving excellence and success in life.
The outreach also featured a health education session on menstrual hygiene management facilitated by Mrs Kemi Akinleye, a healthcare practitioner and Director in the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Akinleye described proper menstrual hygiene practices as essential for preventing reproductive and urinary tract infections while promoting the overall well-being of adolescent girls.
She educated the students on the proper use of menstrual products, including sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs and period underwear.
She also highlighted the importance of regular hand washing, proper disposal of used menstrual materials and maintaining personal hygiene during menstrual periods.
Akinleye spoke against the stigma and discrimination often associated with menstruation, urging the students to regard it as a normal and healthy part of a woman’s life rather than a source of shame or embarrassment.
She further advised them to seek medical attention whenever they experience prolonged menstrual flow, severe pain or unusually heavy bleeding, while also encouraging regular medical check-ups, including Pap smear screening and pelvic examinations.
In an exhortation, the Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Education Trust Fund, Mrs Bosede Jegede, encouraged the students to place God at the centre of their lives.
Jegede said God remains the giver of all good things and is able to guide individuals to their expected end, urging the students to trust Him with their future.
Earlier, the Principal of Government College, Oye-Ekiti, Mrs Felicia Adamolekun, commended EKWIM for its commitment to promoting leadership qualities and inspiring positive change among young people.
Adamolekun thanked the organisation for selecting the school for the outreach and encouraged the students to participate actively in order to benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience shared by the facilitators.
She urged them to apply the lessons learnt toward achieving their dreams, developing leadership qualities and excelling in their academic and future professional pursuits.
About 280 students and several teachers participated in the programme.
Items distributed to the students included sanitary pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissue paper, biscuits, drinks and bottled water.