The reigning Miss Ekimogun of Ondo Kingdom, Doyinmola Olajoye has empowered young female secondary school students in Ondo state.
The empowerment program, Orange Humanity Project, a brainchild of Doyinmola Olajoye is centered on training young female secondary students on Adire and crafts making, craft of renewing old clothes, accessories and bead making, this was held for 3 days in Ondo City.
At the end of the 3-days, the relaunch of Orange Humanity Project, OHP which was initially launched in 2018 took place, there was an exhibition that showcased the artworks crafted by the participants.
According to the convener of OHP, Olajoye who won the Miss Ekimogun beauty pageant in Ondo state, in an interview, said that the relaunch was geared toward resuscitating her dream of equipping young females.
“It was a really beautiful one, we had the opportunity to pour our knowledge into young girls, we had participants from different schools across Ondo city and they were very excited and grateful about their experience and the impact.
“We trained them on Bead making with the infusion of indigenous fabrics. We trained them on how to make sustainable accessories, such as; straw for earrings, paper, carbon, used cloth, machine reeler for necklaces.” She said.
She advised the participants to maximize the opportunity given via the Miss Ekimogun Project and also called for support from individuals and corporate bodies.
“I relaunched this project for teenagers under the umbrella of Miss Ekimogun, and I encourage every Ondo teenage girls who have participated to take with great importance the knowledge, the skill that we have imparted them with and to grow with, it has the capability of changing and improving the quality of their lives, creating wealth and engaging in climate action with sustainability culture.”
“We seek more support, donation, engagement from Ondo kingdom and everyone at large, we will be mentoring the girls for two weeks, to spur them into taking advantage of the craft learned.” She said.
Earlier, the member of the House of Representatives, Ondo East/West Federal constituencies Honourable Abiola Makinde who cut the ribbon for the relaunch, appreciated the convener for relaunching the initiative, urging the participants to stir up their creativity.
“Creativity is the ability to use your imagination to create a new idea, I give God all the glory and I appreciate everyone, I encourage the beneficiaries to be steadfast and use your imagination to create something new. I congratulate you Miss Ekimogun for this impact.” He said.
Also, the Itagbuyi of Ondo Kingdom, Chief Wole Benson Akinkuolie appreciated the convener for her brilliance and for coming up with this skill acquisition program, urging the participants to maximize the opportunity.
“The platform is a great platform for you to leverage on and become great in life. Doyinmola has combined brilliance and creativity with her beauty.”
“We want of more this to depopulate the wandering youth and give them something to engage with.” He said.
Excited by the ingenuity of the items crafted and displayed by the trainees, the CEO, Arvo Finance, Engr Bally Ayotunde, commended the brain behind the project, assuring to support the project.
The Founder, Miss Ekimogun,
Mr. Idris Mamukuyomi alluded that the empowerment program was the first of its kind to take place.
“This is the first of its kind project that is taking place, It is an event on empowering the young girls and giving voice to them in the community, to cause positive change and sustainability in the community.” He said.
Speaking with one of the participants, Olopele Beatrice, a student of Monica Girls Grammar School, SS3, she said she had to forgo going to lessons to partake in the skill acquisition.
“I am part of those that were opportuned to learn this craft, making accessories like earrings, bangles, necklaces.
“I learned how to recycle things like reeler to make earrings, straw to make necklaces. I want to say thank you, I was going to a lesson but I chose to join this, dedicating 3days to the training because I can not find a skill acquisition program like this again.” She said.
Another participant, Ayodele Mofiyinfoluwa who attends Adeyemi College of Education Secondary School said she would maximize the training she went through.
“I joined Adire class, they taught us how to make fabrics, T-shirts, with tie and dye. I will practice more, and I will develop myself.” She said.
Dotun Omisakin
Media Aide
Orange Humanity Project, OHP