As part of the activities lined up to mark her 40th birthday, the Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on gender, Hon (Mrs) Olamide Falana, today Wednesday 15th February, 2023, organized a Speech making Contest for Secondary Schools in Akure.
Speaking on the topic ” The Girl Child As a Leader of Tomorrow, the Prospects And Challenges”, 4 Schools, including : CAC Grammar School, Akure, St. Dominics Secondary School, Akure, St. Michael’s Secondary School, Akure and Akure Commercial Secondary School participated in the competition.
Also, students from Fiwasaye Secondary School, had a choreography to celebrate Mrs Falana as an old student of the school.
The guest speaker, Mrs Desmond Epe described the celebrant as a gentle and virtuous woman, who is passionate about the development of the young ones.
She further urged parents to be their children’s best friends and put a watch on whatever they are doing because they do not know what their children can become in the future.
She also advised the children to always talk to their parents on anything bothering them instead of talking to their friends.
Mr Tope Yahaya, the Chief Judge of the contest noted that the students were really impressive as they were well dressed, comported and spoke a passable English.
He urged them to study more as one must be a good reader to be a good speaker. He said “In the structural aspect of essay, you have to study more”.
Favour Olatunji of Akure Commercial Secondary School who came first at the end of the contest, expressed her gratitude to be given the opportunity to participate in the speech making contest. She added that the contest will spur her to do more.
“I’m so happy to have emerged as the winner of the contest and I want to appreciate Mrs Olamide Falana for organizing this kind of event, I wish her happy birthday with a long life”.
In her reaction, the celebrant, Mrs Olamide Falana noted her reason for organizing the speech making contest is because she is a strong believer in education of the young people and also, of the girl child.
“I believe that our students need every avenue to boost their confidence. And I believe that contest like this will help them come out, face the crowd, boost their confidence and build them up for leadership in the future”.
“The topic, The Girl Child As a Leader of Tomorrow, the Prospects And Challenges, is meant to give a level of interest into the challenges facing the girl child and for all of us to think through these challenges and also to look at the prospects and positive things that can come out of the girl child education and girl child leadership”.
“This topic is apt, as it is coming at a time we are facing so many challenges such as gender based violence, various forms of discrimination, child marriage and so many other forms of challenges that are being faced by the girl child in the world”.
Falana commended the efforts of the students, stressing that they really gave the judges a tough time in making a decision. “They all did wonderfully well, they were so confident, so bold, they all made brilliant points, it shows they have very wonderful teachers doing a great job in grooming them for a time like this, I’m proud of the girls and their teachers”, she said.
The SA encouraged the students to keep doing all that they are doing that is right, they need to know that the future belong to them. She also urged parents to do all they can in their capacity to ensure that they bring these children up in the right way.
The reception party for the birthday celebration which held at a popular Hotel at Alagbaka, Akure had in attendance members of State Executives, Family, Friends and well wishers.
In his goodwill message, the State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, represented by his Chief Of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale described Olamide as an energetic member of the state Executive, adding that she is an added value to the team
