YEDI Launches BMZ Skillz Girl Project in Lagos
In line with its overall vision to build the health assets of young people, facilitate their access to health services and promote adherence to healthy behaviour, a non-profit organisation, Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI) has launched an adolescent health project for girls. Aptly tagged the BMZ SKILLZ Girl Project and sponsored by the German Government’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through StreetFootballWorld, the girls-only project targets over 2,000 girls aged 13 and 19 in disadvantaged communities in Lagos, Abuja, Akwa Ibom and Ogun states and centres on HIV/AIDS prevention, sexuality and life skills and aims at supporting young women and girls to better protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and make self-determined life decisions.
Present at the launch were YEDI’s Executive Director, Oje Ivagba, Head of Programmes, Tomisin Ojo and other staff members of the NGO; stakeholders and school teachers from beneficiary communities in Lagos; programme Peer Educators and beneficiaries of a previous SKILLZ Girl Project. Also present were Dr. Esther Somefun and Jaiyeola Anyanbolejo (UNFPA), Mrs. Peter-Popoola F.O (Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development), Mr. Taiwo Akinwale (Education District 1), Mr. Joseph Adeyinka (Education District 2), Mrs. Balogun Oluremi O. (Ministry of Education, Alausa), teachers representing various schools as well as the reigning Miss Nigeria, Miss Peace Mildred Ehiguese.
Speaking during the stakeholders’ briefing and launch of the project in Lagos, the Executive Director of YEDI, Oje Ivagba, stated that the objectives of the project were to improve the sexual and reproductive knowledge of adolescent girl thereby reducing risky sexual behaviour, the incidence of HIV and unintended pregnancies amongst girls aged of 13 to 19, as well as equip them with critical life skills training, health awareness and counselling that will enable them to make better decisions and become productive members of society. “The project will also build and develop a team of community role models who can deliver and monitor the project in their local communities, and promote physical activity and well-being through inclusive sport.” He also noted that the desired impact of the programme was to support adolescents’ positive and healthy transition into productive adults. Former Nigerian international super model turned entrepreneur, Aisha Bello became a year older over the weekend and decided to celebrate it with the downtrodden of the society. The CEO and Creative Director of elegantebyaisha and Director of Star Models Africa, graced the Ikoyi prison to celebrate her special day with the inmates.
Aisha donated various items to the inmates and spend time with them as they engaged in merry-making with the delectable ex-queen of the international run-way.
On why she choose to celebrate this year's birthday in a charitable manner, Aisha explains "I thought some of us are privileged to be free from restrictions and it is only proper to remember those who are in confinement. I wanted them to know that there can be love out out there and even though they have challenges right now, they should never give up on love and goodness. If and when they eventually get their freedom back, they should keep a positive attitude towards life."
In her heydays as a model, Aisha was busy modeling for top international fashion brands at famous shows such as The New York Fashion Week, Mercedes Fashion Week and others,Aisha Bello owns one of the fastest ready to wear brand in Nigeria,and she launched her modeling agency which according to her is aimed at presenting Nigeria and Africa models to the International market.