Mary Akopobome Launches Purple Girl Foundation

Seasoned banker and wife of ace comedian, Ali Baba, Mrs Mary Akpobome has officially unveiled The Purple Girl Foundation as part of the celebration of her 50th birthday on Wednesday, July 11 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

With poverty being a major impediment to accessing education in Nigeria especially for girls, the Foundation has been established to bridge the gap for young girls who lack the means to further their education by reason of their family background, location, or social status.

According to its board of trustees, the Purple Girl Foundation is intended to bring together key stakeholders in the education and social development space from both the private and public sector to provide more insight around the issues around girl-child education in Nigeria.

One of the major goals of the foundation is to proffer conceivable resolutions to these issues that will significantly assuage the plight of indigent young girls in Nigeria who face obvious challenges in pursuing their education.

The event featured a fundraiser aimed at eliciting support from well-meaning individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting growth and lasting development in our nation.

The theme for the event was “Girl-Child Education for Nation Building” and it had in attendance industry experts and professionals in various aspects of social development and education.

Mrs. Toyin Saraki, Founder and President of Wellbeing Foundation Africa delivered the keynote address and Mary Akpobome addressed guests on major reasons why the foundation has come alive.

The panel discussion session involved Professor Yomi Fawehinmi, Advisor, Horizons & Pathways, Chevron Nigeria Limited; Dr. Abosede Lewu, Founder, Girlsaide Initiative; Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, Director, Schools, Education & Society, British Council; and Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamilola, Head of School, Corona Secondary School.

Other guests in attendance include ace comedian Alibaba, DayStar Christian Centre Pastor Sam Adeyemi and his wife, Nike Adeyemi, representative of the Lagos State deputy governor, former deputy governor of Lagos, Mrs Sarah Sosan, Dame Abimbola Fashola; retired AIG of police Tunji Alapini, Richard Mofe Damijo, amongst others.