The initiative empowers 100 girls in public speaking and leadership roles in the FCT

The Rena Development Initiative organized a leadership and empowerment program for a hundred girls from senior secondary schools (SSS) in the FCT.

The conference entitled: “Rena ShootUp Conference” is the second edition and focused on public speaking as a self-defense tool.

They urged participants to use their voices to challenge social barriers, build trust and prepare for leadership roles.

Conference convener Ruth Onoshiorena Obozeghie said the initiative was created to “build a generation of fearless, outspoken and visionary girls.”

“We’re raising girls who understand that leadership begins with expression. Public speaking is more than a skill. It’s empowerment in action.

“This year we intentionally brought together girls with and without disabilities, because inclusion is about equal opportunities, not likeability. Every girl should have access to confidence-building spaces like this,” she said.

Gender advocate, youth policy expert and Director General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Rinsola Abiola, highlighted the importance of nurturing girls’ leadership potential early.

He said initiatives like the Rena ShootUp Conference are crucial for nation building.

“They build confidence in girls and confidence breeds competence,” she said.

Also speaking, the founder of the Albino Foundation, Dr. Jake Epelle, encouraged girls to pursue their dreams without limits, adding that disability does not define their destiny.

She said what Rena is doing today shows that inclusion is not a favor, it’s a right, and praised the organizers for integrating diversity as a key component of the event.

Blueprint reports that the conference featured a panel of mentors for intergenerational conversation and to provide practical suggestions for navigating girls’ experiences at the school.