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The programme piloted at the Government Senior College Ikoyi, Osborne, Lagos, has impacted over 3000 girls across the country since 2016.
Chairman of the 2023 edition of the Big Sister Programme and Chief Financial Officer of Ember Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Awele Chinedu, stated that the event was used to educate young girls on areas that directly affect them and also advice them on how to make proper life decisions.
“By the time they finish this programme, we want them to be thinking about their future and the career path they want to venture into, be it entrepreneurial, or if they want to go into industry. We’re also teaching them about financial literacy. We’re talking about budgeting; learning about how to handle money,” Chinedu said.
She added that the mentorship programme also encompassed self-hygiene to get them ready for a productive future as soon as they are done with their secondary education.
Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Trialogue Media, Obianuju Olorunmola, who facilitated a session on ‘Building Self Confidence and Esteem’, said there was a need to begin to impart the right values into girls from a very young age.
“We’re catching them young, and helping to give them that direction and path that they should grow into. It’s important because, of course, we see the state of the world, and even our country. This will help to form their person, their character, and give them the foundation that will help them to not just become better people, but also tomorrow’s leaders,” she noted.
Olorunmola also stated that the programme was very key because it gave so many young girls relatable and practical life experiences; and helped them believe that they could in turn go on to become real change makers.
“We didn’t just give them tips; we gave them personal experiences on how we navigated the challenges during our time in secondary school as young girls. These real-life examples are relatable for them, and can help them understand that people have gone through similar paths in the past and gone on to succeed,” she added.
In her remarks, Principal of Government Senior College Ikoyi, Osborne, Lagos, Ayotunde Bamidele, said the Nigerian educational curriculum should embrace more programmes of that nature, citing the mentorship opportunities it provided for young girls as a huge benefit.
“I think it’s a very good programme that should be introduced into the curriculum or the school programme as it gives our girls the opportunity to interact with women leaders. It helps to mentor and teach them properly, while using their stories as a practical example. It goes a long way for the students to make better leaders and individuals in the future,” he said.
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