TheCable

Aderonke Bello, a Nigerian journalist and gender advocate, has been selected to attend the 2019 Department of State Global Sports Mentoring Programme (GSMP).

The programme, which is a partnership between the Department of State, espnW, and the University of Tennessee’s Center for Sport, Peace and Society will run from October 10 to November 19, 2019.

The GSMP is an international leadership development programme that was launched in 2012 by the US Department of State and consists of two pillars focusing on advancing gender equality, empowering women through sports programmes, and disability rights.

The programme is a five-week, immersive mentor-ship experience that focuses on empowering international delegates to serve their communities by increasing access to opportunities for participation in sports.

The former Premium Times reporter expressed excitement about her selection.

“My joy knew no bounds when I received the mail on my selection, it was a moment of joy for me,” she said.

“Like I have always said, whatever you are doing, people are always watching and taking notes, do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

“I very much look forward to the program which will not only be beneficial to me but beneficial to other women across the country.

“I want to specially thank the US Department of states and partners, and the US Embassy, Abuja for the nomination and I promise to be a good ambassador for Nigeria and make positive impacts from my experience when I returned,”

Leading American female executives in business, education, media, non-profit, and sports sectors will work side-by-side with emerging sports leaders from around the globe, sharing valuable business and leadership skills through the duration of the programme.

Bello’s participation in the programme will include travel to Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Texas where she will be mentored by the head of media communications at Saatchi and Saatchi in Texas.

The American mentors will assist the participants in the creation of strategic action plans that will be used to create specific sports opportunities for underserved women and girls when they return home.

Bello is the founder of FAME foundation, a non governmental Organisation, which advocates for the girl child and women.