Broadcast journalist urges early exposure to public speaking for girls  

Broadcast journalist and development advocate, Ruth Onoshiorena Obozeghie has called for intentional efforts to expose girls to public speaking and confidence-building from an early age, describing communication as “a core leadership skill and a tool of self-advocacy.” Speaking at the second edition of the Rena ShootUp Conference held at Edo House, Abuja, Obozeghie emphasised that […]

Broadcast journalist and development advocate, Ruth Onoshiorena Obozeghie has called for intentional efforts to expose girls to public speaking and confidence-building from an early age, describing communication as “a core leadership skill and a tool of self-advocacy.”

Speaking at the second edition of the Rena ShootUp Conference held at Edo House, Abuja, Obozeghie emphasised that giving young girls a voice is central to nurturing future female leaders.

The 2025 edition brought together 100 girls from five senior secondary schools across the FCT, including girls with disabilities, under the theme “Amplifying Her Voice: Building Confidence Through Inclusive Public Speaking.”

“We created an inclusive, safe space by bringing girls with disabilities and those without into one room, that is what real inclusion looks like,” Obozeghie said.

“Public speaking isn’t merely about holding a microphone; it’s self-advocacy, it’s leadership, it’s power. The earlier we teach girls to speak up, the stronger their capacity to lead.”

The highlight of the conference was a public speaking competition, where 12 contestants representing the five participating schools delivered five-minute speeches on the theme of this year’s edition. Winners were awarded monetary prizes, with the third position ending in a tie, a reflection of the impressive quality of performances and passion displayed.

Hon. Rinsola Abiola, Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, in her executive  address lauded the initiative, describing it as a transformative investment in the leadership future of Nigerian girls.“Initiatives like the Rena ShootUp Conference are crucial because they don’t just teach speaking they cultivate boldness in girls who have historically been silenced,” she said. “Public speaking is a tool of leadership, advocacy, and empowerment. When a woman speaks, society listens and rises with her.”

In his goodwill message, Dr. Jake Epelle, Founder of The Albino Foundation, encouraged the students to live with integrity and self-belief, stating that true leadership begins with personal responsibility.“You are not defined by what you wear, drive, or own,” Dr. Epelle told the participants. “You are defined by your values, your voice, and your service. You cannot become the girl this country will be proud of if you don’t start building your principles now.”

Also speaking, media personality and women’s advocate Dr. Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack commended the platform for enabling expression and emotional healing among young girls.“When a girl learns to speak, she learns to lead and when she leads, she rewrites her story,” she said, calling for more platforms that nurture girls’ participation and leadership.

The 2025 conference also featured a sign language session, where participants were taught basic greetings and conversational signs as part of the day’s emphasis on inclusion and communication for all.

Obozeghie, who doubles as a renowned Master of Ceremonies and Broadcast Journalist with DAAR Communications PLC (owners of AIT and RayPower FM), leads The Rena Development Initiative, the parent organisation of the Rena ShootUp Conference. She noted that the project is committed to building “confident, expressive, and value-driven girls who can speak for themselves and for others.” “Our message is clear,” she added. “Amplify her voice in classrooms, boardrooms, media, and government. When girls speak, communities evolve and nations progress.”

Launched in 2024, the Rena ShootUp Conference has rapidly grown into a respected platform for promoting communication, self-leadership, and inclusion among young girls. The next edition, organisers revealed, will expand beyond the Federal Capital Territory to include girls from special education centrrs across multiple states, deepening its reach and impact.