Abeokuta, Omobolaji Adekunle
Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, has called for renewed focus on innovation, leadership, and girl-child empowerment as critical pillars for the future of the Girl Guides movement in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking at the 4th Annual International Conference of the Trefoil Guild Nigeria, held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mrs. Amosun emphasized the need to embrace modern solutions to address contemporary challenges facing girls and young women.
With the theme, “Embracing the Future: Innovation and Leadership in Guiding,” the conference brought together members of the Trefoil Guild from across Nigeria and several African countries, alongside senior officials of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Amosun was officially invested as Patron of the Trefoil Guild Nigeria, an honour she described as a privilege and a call to greater service.
“I remain deeply passionate about the mission of the Girl Guides—to nurture courageous, independent, and community-spirited young women,” she said. “The days are long gone when a woman’s potential was confined. Today, we must raise girls who are ready to lead in every sphere of life.”
She urged the Guild and the wider Guiding movement to leverage digital tools for mentorship and skills development, especially for girls in underserved rural communities. Mrs. Amosun also called for programmes addressing critical issues such as poverty, unemployment, and gender inequality.
“True leadership is not defined by titles, but by service and sacrifice,” she said. “Let us be intentional about creating opportunities where girls are not just included, but fully equipped to lead.”
The former First Lady of Ogun State pledged her continued support for initiatives that uplift women and promote the values of the Guiding movement through her UPLIFT Development Foundation.
The event was attended by dignitaries including the Country Chair of the Trefoil Guild Nigeria, Dr. Christie Toby; Chief Commissioner of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association, Deaconess Rhoda Thomas; Ogun State Commissioner, Mrs. Moyosore Adeyemi; and the State Coordinator of the Guild, Mrs. Sowemimo Olufunke.
The conference featured workshops, policy dialogues, and leadership training sessions designed to chart a forward-looking agenda for the Girl Guides and Trefoil Guild across Africa.
