BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Following the successful hosting of the Goal For Girls Leadership Summit (G4G Naija Summit) on Tuesday at Union Bank Sports Complex in Lagos, the organizers have commended the participants and coordinators for their commitment and dedication during the summit.
The summit was organized by Goals For Girls, an NGO dedicated to the well-being and welfare of young girls worldwide.
Over the past year, the Goals For Girls Project has collaborated with public secondary schools across Lagos State to offer leadership development, empowerment, and life skills programs for young girls, using football as a tool.
Commenting on the summit, the Executive Director of Goals For Girls in Nigeria, Damilola Ogunbote, expressed her satisfaction with the number of participants and praised both the girls and coordinators for the successful event.
“It was a successful summit and this is the first time we are doing this in Nigeria. The participants demonstrated a high level of commitment in their various classes, while their coordinators met expectations in fulfilling their responsibilities.
“From my assessment, it was not only a successful summit but also well organized and coordinated,” she said.
Ogunbote stated that the NGO is committed to supporting the dreams of young girls in Nigeria and providing the necessary support to help them achieve their aspirations.
She acknowledged that many young Nigerian girls face challenges, but noted that the NGO, established in the United States, aims to encourage and support them to achieve their dreams, not only in Nigeria but across the world.
“Of course, some of them face challenges and Goals For Girls is ready to encourage them, not necessarily through monetary support, but by providing the tools needed to achieve their dreams,” she said.
She further revealed that the NGO is prepared to seek support from corporate bodies and the Nigerian government at all levels to expand the program to other parts of the country in the near future.
“As I mentioned earlier, this is the first time we are holding a program like this in Nigeria. We are ready to collaborate with corporate bodies or the government at all levels so that we can organize similar programs in other parts of the country,” she added.
The summit hosted 150 students from five Junior Secondary Schools within Surulere and its surrounding areas, observed by parents, guardians, and teachers.
Activities organized by the NGO on Tuesday included leadership development workshops, team-building sessions, football matches, and a dancing competition, all designed to reinforce the skills and values taught throughout the year.
In her comments, Country Manager Chinasa Mandy Ukandu also expressed gratitude for the successful program and praised the participants for their patience and commitment.
She said the summit has brought out the best in the young girls and encouraged them to remain focused and avoid vices that could jeopardize their dreams.
Some coordinators who spoke to our correspondent thanked the NGO for this initiative and urged them to organize the program quarterly or twice a year.
Meanwhile, some participants who shared their thoughts with our correspondent said the summit served as a moral boost for them and pledged to work hard to achieve their dreams.
In the football event played among the five invited schools, Community Junior Secondary School emerged as the champion in the round-robin format.
The summit will continue on Wednesday morning with another set of five schools, totaling 150 participants, expected to attend.