Ooni’s NGO, HAI Partners French Embassy To Empower Girl-child In Technology

 

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi, has again demonstrated his passion for humanity and his love to change the fortune of not only his subjects but also people in the society.

It is no surprise to see the Monarch, the Arole Oduduwa, giving his support to the organisation of the maiden digital technology empowerment for the girl-child in Lagos State.

Under the auspices of his Non-Governmental Organisation, Hopes Alive Initiative for Africa (HAI), and with the facilitating support from the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organisations (FEF-OSC) and Edunity.ng, the She-Levate Tech Digital Empowerment Bootcamp was flagged off in Lagos, southwest Nigeria on Monday at a media conference held in Gbagada.

According to the Project Manager of the Bootcamp, Olusegun Akapo, She-Levate Tech Digital Empowerment Bootcamp is “a bold, community-driven initiative by Hopesalive Initiative for Africa (HAI), created to empower 60 brilliant young women from underserved communities in Lagos State.

“This is not just a training program. It is a movement. A mission to equip these women with relevant, practical digital skills, career mentorship, and life-changing opportunities.

“In partnership with Edunity.ng and with the generous support of the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organisations (FEF-OSC), we are committed to bridging the gender gap in Africa’s digital economy, one life, one story, one community at a time.”

Akapo, who is also the Program Manager for HAI, told journalists that the She-Levate Tech Digital Empowerment Bootcamp will officially commence on Tuesday, 1st July 2025, and will run through 31st October 2025.

He said: “Over 16 weeks, these young women will receive immersive, hands-on training in six high:
•UI/UX Design (Product Design)
•Backend Development (Python/Django)
•WordPress Web Design
•Frontend Web Development
•Data Analytics
•Digital Marketing

“But beyond the technical, they will benefit from mentorship by respected industry professionals, career coaching, capstone projects, internship placements, and a vibrant alumni network to support them long after this bootcamp is concluded.

“It is our goal to see at least 70% of these women placed in meaningful internships or job opportunities—and we are confident this vision will become a reality.

“Yet, this program is about more than skills. It’s about restoring voices, reawakening dreams, and reshaping futures for young women who deserve a seat at the table,” Akapo said.

The Project Manager also disclosed that the She-Levate Tech, is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth, adding that “by empowering women for digital careers, we are actively reducing poverty, creating dignified jobs, and strengthening Africa’s tech-driven economy.

“Together, we are not only transforming individual lives but also reshaping the digital future of our communities, our cities, and our nation.”

The Deputy Convener of Hopes Alive Initiative for Africa, Her Regalia Majesty, Ambassador (Dr) Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, paid glowing tribute to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi, who she said has made it a point of royal duties to affect humanity positively.

According to her, the She-Levate Tech was birthed during her meeting with the French Ambassador in Nigeria, who keyed into the vision and was ready to facilitate the program.

“This is not just a training program but a movement of changing life from poverty to affluence. Our target is to equip these women with life-changing opportunities in the tech world. My advice is that all the participants should connect with the program to make huge impacts from it,” she said.

Sixty brilliant young women from the undeserved communities were selected out of 120 who underwent a rigorous screening process that involved community leaders, religious leaders and other stakeholders in the communities.

The communities are Makoko, Iwaya, Ilaje, Ikorodu, Oworo, Ikosi and Mushin areas of Lagos State.