Ayodele Olalere
Former Lagos State First Lady and founder of the Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative, HOFOWEM, Bolanle Ambode, has encouraged Nigerian youths, especially girls, to focus on their ambitions rather than engaging in needless intimate relationships that could jeopardize their dreams.
Mrs. Ambode spoke at the launch of the book “Let the Child Live” by Caroline Oluwadare, a beneficiary of HOFOWEM, in Lagos.
The former Lagos First Lady who was represented by Mrs. Oyefunke Olayinka, emphasized the importance of serving those in need and urged parents to enhance their parenting roles by instilling self-discipline, good moral values, and cautioning against bad influences in their children.
“Early in our children’s lives, we must impart self-discipline, good moral values, and constant admonition against waywardness and bad peer groups. Above all, we must raise them in the way of God, with constant prayers for divine wisdom, guidance, and direction, for them to navigate their lives to success,” Mrs. Ambode said.
She noted that HOFOWEM had provided scholarships to Caroline and three other promising youths who have graduated with First Class.
Mrs. Ambode urged youths, particularly girls, to emulate the foundation’s beneficiaries and avoid rushing into risky and unnecessary intimate relationships that could derail their aspirations.
In her welcome address, the author, Oluwadare, noted that the book was intended to be a platform for creating awareness among teenagers and youths, on sexual abstinence and effective ways of handling teenage pregnancy, which she described as a major social plague.
“The essence of today’s event extends beyond the immediate activities at this book launch. It is about long-term impact on society, achieving our SDG Goals 1, 3, and 10; zero hunger, good health and well-being, and reduced inequality. It is about looking at the bigger picture, away from our mistakes and away from the present, which oftentimes seems hopeless and limiting,”she said.
Also, the keynote speaker at the event, Mrs. Juliet Obijiaku encouraged girls to prioritize their career goals and personal development while avoiding intimate relationships that could jeopardize their dreams.
She emphasized the importance of awareness campaigns to address teenage pregnancy and combat the stigma surrounding it.
According to her, the 152 pages book didn’t only identified the problem but also offered a solution to the menace dragging the youth backwards.
