Ovation, as Rita Dominic, Dakore Akande, others chart a new direction for girl-child empowerment

L-R: Bethel Obioma, head, corporate communications, Sahara Group; Jade Osiberu, film director/screen writer; Rita Dominic, screen actor/producer; Stephaine Busari, producer/journalist, CCN Africa, and Ramsey Nouah, screen actor/producer, during the maiden edition of #Asharamispeaks a Sahara Group conversation platform,” in Lagos.

Resounding applause greeted actresses Rita Dominic and Dakore Akande,'s presentations last Wednesday, when the duo leading other stakeholders added their voices to the cause of girl-child empowerment. The event was the maiden edition of Sahara Group's #AsharamiSpeaks:, an emotive gathering that seeks to empower the girl-child through film.

Held at Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos, the event had as topic for discussion, ‘Enhancing Girl Child Empowerment Through the Medium of Film.’ The partnership being implemented under Sahara Group’s Grooming Film Extrapreneurs initiative targets empowering 90 girls aged 13 and 19 in three African countries – Nigeria, Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire – in the art of film making.

Among discussants at the session included young filmmaker and girl-child activist, Zuriel Oduwole, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Social Entrepreneur, actress Dakore Akande, Screen Actress and Amnesty International Ambassador and Rita Dominic. Others are Ramsey Nouah, Screen actor, producer and director, Bodunrin Sasore, film director and screenwriter, Stephanie Busari, a producer and journalist with CNN Africa and Jade Osiberu, film director and screenwriter. Also, in attendance was Sahara Group’s Executive Director, Tonye Cole.

Leading discussion, Rita Dominic advocated girl child empowerment through film.

According to the Imo State-born actress cum producer, “Movies and television have the power to tell stories and effect change in order to project the Nigeria we want to see tomorrow. That's why we have to take the medium seriously.”

Advising the young girls to believe in their talents to get them through the hard times and bad times, Rita said “You are on the right path.”

Speaking in the same vein, Dakore Akande advised the young girls to prepare themselves for the opportunities so that when they arise they would be ready to grab them. She also cautioned them against doing some self-work that will derail them.

Oduwole said she was hopeful of the project’s success, adding “ I like the fact that Sahara Group sees some value in what I am doing with Girls’ Education across the world, and just like the African proverb, if you want to go fast, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together.”

“I think I have gone very fast in the last five years, since I started my project at age 10.

Earlier, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, explained that the project is expected to drive the advocacy message for girls’ rights, highlight key issues affecting girls across the three African countries and equip the girls with the foundational skills required to become film makers.

#AsharamiSpeaks has sparked off regarding amplifying a global voice for girl child empowerment and creating opportunities for girls and boys as well to pursue and realise their ambitions," he said.