Ooni of Ife lauded as 60 girls graduate from She-Levate tech bootcamp

By Bolaji Okunola

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at the weekend, earned wide commendation after 60 girls successfully graduated from the Ladies in Tech Conference organised by the Ooni to empower young women with digital and entrepreneurial skills for the modern economy.

The 16-week hands-on digital training, tagged, ‘She-Levate Tech Bootcamp,’ was powered by Ooni’s foundation, Hope Alive Initiative for Africa (HAI)  with the aim to equip girls from underserved communities with vital technology skills and connect them to mentors and employers in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Topping the chat of best graduating students, Lawal Aramide, who focused on Product Design was honoured the overall best student, beating Enaremhen Glory and Ademola Fatimah to second and third position.

The event also saw top 10 best students walk away with monetary rewards and brand new laptops while top dignitaries and sponsors showered them with more gift items.

Giving kudos to the organisers, Aramide, on behalf of her coursemates, applauded the initiative, while urging more girls to look forward to more opportunities capable of reshaping their future.

“This is a one-in-a-million opportunity which every girl would look forward to. I never knew I could go this far and thanks to God for seeing me through. I will love to use this medium to appreciate everyone who has been part of this, most especially, Hope Alive Initiative for Africa and other sponsors who derived pleasure putting all this together,’ she stated.

Also speaking at the occasion, Vice convener, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, showed gratitude to the girls for the determination shown so far while promising the outfit won’t get tired in their bid to transform potential into purpose.

She said: “ Today is a day of joy, pride, and fulfilment. It is a day that reminds us why we do what we do at the Hope Alive Initiative for Africa (HAI), to give hope wings, to transform potential into purpose, and to nurture dreams that redefine the future.”

“Over the last four months, 60 young women, many from communities where opportunity is rare and technology feels distant, have taken a bold step toward the future. Through commitment, curiosity, and courage, they have completed the SheLevate Tech Digital Empowerment Bootcamp, mastering globally relevant skills in Product Design, Frontend and Backend Development, Data Analytics, WordPress Web Design, and Digital Marketing.

“But beyond the skills, what we celebrate today is transformation, a transformation of mindset, confidence, and vision. Each of these young women now carries the power to innovate, to inspire, and to influence the world around them.’

“I extend heartfelt gratitude to our facilitators from Edunity.ng, our mentors from She Code Africa, and our numerous supporters who have walked this journey with us. You have not just taught skills; you have planted seeds of hope that will bear fruit in the lives of these women and their communities.

“To our graduates, my dear Digital Queens, I am incredibly proud of you. You started this journey as learners, and today, you stand as leaders. The future is calling you to create, to innovate, and to use technology as a force for good.

“Remember, SheLevate Tech was never just about coding or design; it was about discovering your power, the power to build, to lead, and to elevate others as you rise.”