Billionaire business mogul, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim has promised to sponsor 100 boys to the annual BEMORE bootcamp organized by the wife of Ondo State governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu.
Ibrahim, candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ondo South senatorial district in next year’s general elections made the promise on Saturday during the closing and graduation ceremony of the Summer Bootcamp which hekd at the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure.
The Summer Bootcamp, a vocational training programme was entiltled “Building The Next Generation Of Female Technology Leaders,”.
The business mogul appealed to the first lady to incorporate boys in the all-female programme.
Ibrahim stressed that BEMORE should be upgraded as an institution so that the human capacity building programme could be sustained.
He, therefore, donated a sum of N10 million towards the construction of the institution.
Ibrahim described Anyanwu-Akeredolu as a virtuous woman who strived to empower the girl child at any cost.
According to him, “I see a woman in history, a woman whose character and behaviour tally with what she preaches. She’s supportive and encourages the young folks in order for them to be what they want to be.
“The training programme she organised for the young girls is to empower them in ICT, Solar-making among others.
“This is a sponsored programme by private donors because there’s no provision for this in the state government annual budget.
“It takes her personal efforts and will to do this for the young girls.
“I want to appeal to our mother that she should think of how to include boys in the programme and I will be ready to sponsor 100 boys.
“It’s not that I hate girls, but the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Barrister Olusola Oke have sponsored some girls, so I want to sponsor boys.” he said.
Ibrahim, who was recently awarded the first-ever Doctor of Business by University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, while advising the trainees urged them to acquire more education.
The founder of University of Fortune, Igbotako, emphasised that education was the only way to overcome challenges of life.
“I congratulate you on the successful trainings you have received through BEMORE summer bootcamp, but I want to advise you that you must be courageous to develop yourself by having more education.
“You must develop yourself, this is the only way you can overcome the challenges of life.
“I have nine university degrees. If you’re not courageous, there’s no way you can be successful. It’s possible for you to achieve your dreams and visions.”
Meanwhile, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Minister of Science and Technology in his address appreciated Anyanwu-Akeredolu and the sponsors of the training, saying it was empowering the beneficiaries for the ongoing industrial revolution.
He described education as the greatest tool of liberation of mind, advising the young girls to improve in their chosen careers.
Present at the event are Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Dele Ologun, among other state cabinet members.