Lady Mechanic Initiative trains 30 pupils

JULY 3, 2015 

Sandra Aguebor

A non-governmental organisation, The Lady Mechanic Initiative, has given 30 junior secondary school girls in Lagos State the opportunity to hone their skills in vehicle maintenance and repairs.

The programme, initiated by Sandra Aguebor, selected girls variously from the Agidingbi Junior Grammar School, Ojodu Junior High School and Oregun Junior Grammar School, all in Lagos. The pupils, who were formally inducted into the Lady Mechanic After School Club at a ceremony inside the premises of the Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Ikeja, recently, were expected to attend a two-hour session each day of the school week for a period of three months.

Speaking during the event, Aguebor, who is the first female mechanic in the country, said the project was designed to instil focus and excellence in young girls and to also get their minds off distractions and social vices.

“We started this project because the increase in social vices is prevalent among today’s young women. We believe that if a woman is well-equipped and empowered, she would be of immense benefit to her home and society.

“We have taken the Lady Mechanic Initiative from the motor parks to schools where we are hoping to impact the lives of young girls positively. This is the way I also learnt while I was in secondary school and I think this would also benefit these young girls. Membership of the club is totally free,” she said.

The principal of Government Technical College, Agidingbi, Mrs. Melinda Odeh, while lauding the initiative, called on the authorities to invest more in technical education across the country, as it would help reduce unemployment.

“The Lagos State Government is doing a lot in encouraging technical education, especially among young boys and girls. Technology is the way forward and the government must realise this by investing in technical education.

“I think more young girls should be encouraged to embrace this initiative and also strive to acquire some technical skills because it would prove of immense help to them in the future,” she said.

Many of the beneficiaries expressed delight at being given the opportunity to acquire some skills, promising to take the training very seriously.