Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Calls on Stakeholders to Collaborate with the State Government in Empowering the Girl-Child at the 14th AOFFEP Awards.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Calls on Stakeholders to Collaborate with the State Government in Empowering the Girl-Child at the 14th AOFFEP Awards.

In her address at the 14th Annual Adeyinka Ologbenla-Falusi Female Empowerment Programme (AOFFEP) awards ceremony held at C.A.C Grammar School in Efon-Alaaye, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi, urged stakeholders to collaborate with the state government to empower the girl-child.

This prestigious event honored outstanding female science students from Efon-Alaaye, marking a significant milestone in promoting gender equality and educational excellence in science, organized by Prof. Adeyinka G. Falusi, a distinguished scientist and L'Oreal-UNESCO (FWIS) laureate, the awards recognize the achievements of top female science students in Efon-Alaaye while serving as a call to action for the empowerment of young women in STEM fields.

This year’s top honors were awarded to Oni Adeola Gold of Our Saviours School, Efon Alaaye for her scoring 74%. Afolayan Adediwura from Ekiti State Government College, Efon Alaaye secured second place with a score of 70%, while Oluwatoyin Mosunmola of Gloryland College, Efon-Alaaye completed the top three with a score of 64%. The event also recognized  other deserving candidates with consolation prizes.

In her remarks, Mrs. Babafemi commended the awardees for their brilliant performances and stressed the importance of fostering an inclusive educational environment that promotes gender equality. "Science and innovation are crucial to sustainable development. "However, gender disparities persist in this domain with women making up only one-third of the global scientific workforce," she stated. 

Prof. Falusi, in her keynote address, shared insights from her personal journey, emphasizing the critical role that early education and parental support played in her success as a woman in science. She paid tribute to her parents for their steadfast support, which helped her overcome societal barriers. "As the saying goes, 'Train a girl, and you train a nation,'" she urged parents and guardians to invest in their daughters' education and act as their champions.

The event served as a  reminder of our collective responsibility to empower girls and dismantle systemic barriers that hinder their progress. 

Personalities at the event included Pastor Chief M.T. Olowookere, former Commissioner for Information Hon. Odunayo Ategbero, and Efon Local Government's Education Secretary, Mr Femi Afolayan. 

As part of the awards, participants received cash prizes for their academic excellence, with the top three female students recognized explicitly. Additionally, the best male science student from each secondary school in Efon Alaaye was given a prize reflecting AOFFEP's inclusive approach to education.

Gold Adeola, speaking on behalf of the awardees, expressed her gratitude to the event organizers and pledged to continue her diligent pursuit of a career in  science "Everything I have achieved today is due to hard work and the unwavering support of my parents," she stated, encouraging her peers to remain committed to their academic goals.

The AOFFEP awards celebrated not only academic excellence but also served as a beacon of hope, encouraging future leaders to have their careers in science.  The call to dismantle gender stereotypes echoed throughout the event,  emphasizing the need for a collective commitment to gender empowerment.