As part of efforts in showing compassion and commitment to the educational and socio-econimic welfare of the youth particularly the female gender in the riverine communities of Ondo State, OSOPADEC Chairman, Elder Sam Erejuwa during a visit to the 2022 edition of BEMORE Summer Boot Camp holding at MABEST Academy, Oke-Ijebu, Akure, eulogized the wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu for her unparalleled contributions to the development of girl child in the State.

Receiving the Chairman and his team, Arabinrin Akeredolu, who is the initiator of the landmark project appreciated Erejuwa for believing and trusting in the BEMORE vision. In her words, “if you did not see the goodness of the impart of BEMORE, you will not continue”.

Akeredolu acknowledged the Commission’s unalloyed support since the commencement of the project six years ago. She prayed the agency to keep up the good work so as to deliver on its mandate.

Speaking earlier, the Camp Coordinator, Mrs. Elizabeth Akpan gave kudos to the Board and Management of the Commission for turning around the lives of the people in its mandate areas.

According to her, “when we talk of OSOPADEC, we talk of BEMORE and we are optimistic that in the next 10 years in this State Ilaje/Ese-Odo are going to have a lot of ICT experts. Information at our disposal revealed that when the BEMORE girls leave the camp, they are eager to demonstrate all they have learnt and we are so proud. We are proud of OSOPADEC our partner; our great partner. We will continue to do business with you in bringing up our girls to be at par with other girls all over the world”.

Reacting, OSOPADEC Chairman, Sam Erejuwa expressed gratitude to the Governor’s wife for using the BEMORE project to transform the lives of the girls in the coastal region of the Sunshine State.”

Your Excellency, We thank God for you. You are a blessing to this generation, a blessing to this State, a blessing to OSOPADEC. Some people don’t understand what BEMORE is all about; when Mr. Governor told us we are getting two for the price of one, we didn’t even know that we are getting three and the impart is the third one”.

“When I saw the foundation laying ceremony of BEMORE permanent site, l was more than happy and this programme continuity is assured. The world is a better place because you are here”.

Going down memory lane, Erejuwa recounted his experience as a Classroom teacher in the creek of Niger Delta.”

I was a teacher in 1981 in the riverine area of Ondo State, Ilaje. So I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. I have seen that talents are buried in that area. We had a boy who was the fastest runner in Ondo State, he was already a fisherman, married with children, we persuaded him to go to school and he became the fastest runner of that time”, he said.”

You make our lives easier and our job lighter in OSOPADEC because this singular programme is touching so many homes year in year out. If we have our way, we will pay 2023 upfront so that nobody takes our place”.

Giving the closing remarks, the Commissioner representing the people of Ondo South Senatorial district on the Board of OSOPADEC, Hon. Mrs Mosun Odukale appreciated the Governor’s wife for initiating the laudable project which according to her has been productive and impactful to the school children.

In the Commission’s team were the Secretary, Dr Victor Koledoye, Directors; Alhaji Tajudeen Jalaade (Youth/Women Development & Poverty Alleviation), Barr. Bayo Ololajulo (Administration and Supplies), Mr. Wale Mafolabomi (Community Welfare), Mr. Vincent Ikuomola (Accounts), Engr. Stephen Ogunsemore (Project Planning and Development), Engr. Allen Eregha (Project Monitoring and Evaluation), Mr. Frank Menukuro (Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics), Aides to the Chairman, with other Management Staff.