As the world marked the International Day of the Girl Child, Oba Adelani School welcomed back one of its own—Olanrewaju Shifau Ololade, founder of Women’s Empire, a platform committed to empowering women and girls to become confident leaders and change makers in their communities.
Addressing a hall filled with enthusiastic students, Ololade shared her journey from being a student at Oba Adelani to becoming the founder of a thriving empowerment initiative. She reminded the students that greatness begins with belief, effort, and purpose.
“Many years ago, I was just like you—walking these same halls, sitting in these same classrooms, and dreaming big dreams,” she said. “I came here today to awaken your minds and tell you that you too can rise, lead, and shine.”
As part of the interaction, several students shared their career aspirations:
* Yusrah, an aspiring doctor, said she is determined to study hard and limit distractions to achieve her goal.
* Another female student expressed her desire to become a soldier, motivated by a passion to make Nigeria a better place.
* A third student shared her dream of becoming an artist, pledging to improve both in her academics and creative work.
Ololade emphasized the importance of determination, self-belief, and resilience in the face of challenges. She encouraged the girls to repeat daily affirmations: “I can do it. I will do it. I believe in myself.”
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. You can. You will. And you must,” she added. “Stay focused, believe in yourselves, support one another, and remember—greatness starts from where you are, with what you have.” The ex-student encouraged.
The outreach program was warmly received by the school’s leadership and teaching staff:
* Mrs. Nwokorie, the school principal, expressed deep gratitude:
“I am so proud that one of our former students has returned to inspire the next generation. I pray the students take this seriously and that God continues to bless the initiator.”
* Mrs. Emmanuel, the Home Economics teacher, praised the initiative:
“This lecture is exactly what our students need. It may just be the push they need to focus more academically. I’m especially moved knowing the speaker is a product of this very school.”
* Mr. Daniel, Mathematics teacher, shared:
“Seeing a former student return to give back is deeply inspiring. I hope the students truly absorb today’s message. Happy International Girl Child Day!”
*CRS teacher** reflected emotionally:
“This shows that what we poured into her years ago was not in vain. Her return means a lot. May God give her the strength to do more.”
Students also expressed their excitement and takeaways from the event:
* The Head Girl said she learned to always speak up and have confidence.
*Yusrah reiterated her renewed commitment to reading and focusing on her studies.
* The ICT Prefect noted:
“I’ve learned that with focus and determination, anything is possible.”
Another student added:
“You must have confidence in your dreams and believe that you can achieve anything.”
One student, who dreams of becoming an artist, shared:
“I feel so good about this lecture. It has encouraged me to work harder in my studies and develop my talent.”
In her closing message, Ololade acknowledged the efforts of teachers and parents:
“Our teachers and parents are true heroes. They’ve been guiding lights from the start. Thank you for your sacrifices and love—may God reward you all.”
She ended with a final charge to the girls:
“To all my sisters here today—if I could rise from this same place, so can you. Your dreams are valid. Your voice matters. Go out and make a difference.”
The outreach by Women’s Empire was more than a visit; it was a powerful reminder that with the right mindset and support, every girl has the potential to become a leader and a light in her community.
To wrap up the impactful session, Ololade distributed thoughtful items to the students, including pens, sweets, notebooks, and sanitary pads. These items were not only practical but symbolic—encouraging the girls to stay focused in their studies, take care of themselves, and always remember their worth.
