Mothers have an active role in ensuring their children, particularly the girl-child have a level playing field that will enable them achieve their potential and harness their God-given talents.
Managing Director, the Bridge Nigeria, Foyinsola Akinjaiyeju made this submission at a free webinar tagged: ‘Inspiring Women and Girls to Unlock their Potential”
Bridge Nigeria is a social enterprise that consists of a network of community schools in Lagos and Osun states providing quality and affordable education to children in underserved communities
Akinjaiyeju explained that talents are God-given abilities, that a person is born with and immediate, while potential is latent and has to be cultivated and developed.
According to her, women and girls can unlock their potential by defining their visions and goals, embracing continuous learning and skills development, leveraging a strong support network, taking actions/ steps( being proactive), embracing challenges, and taking calculated risks.
“Women and girls must think critically, and identify your passion. At a young age, I already knew what I wanted to be, and I followed that mindset in everything I did.
Also, dream big, and aim high. Don’t be afraid to aim high, aim for the moon, if you miss, you will land among the stars, she opined.”
For those who have fallen in with the wrong crowd, followed the wrong role models, or missed their way on the journey to unlocking their potential, Akinjaiyeju charged them to distance themselves from such associations, review their visions, and forge a new path that aligns with where they want to be.
”Like I said before, define what success means to you as a person, not what it means to the world or those around you. Only then will you know what and who to look up to. “
In her closing remarks, Schools Director, Bridge Nigeria, Omotola Francis-Akinlolu urged participants to spread the message of inspiration to others and impact women and girls within their localities to ensure every female reaches her full potential.
She also encouraged them to tell others about the activities of Bridge Nigeria and supports its efforts through life-changing education, which is aimed at providing Nigerian children and their families the gateway to a better future.
Blackalker reports that the participants unanimously committed to finding role models, coaches, and support networks on their journeys to unlock their potential in life.
