Favour Abraham Ebu: A Beacon of Hope for Girl Child Empowerment
Mrs. Favour Abraham Ebu stands as a formidable force in the realm of girl child development, having established the Bethharan Royal Babes Foundation, a dedicated Non-Governmental Organisation. This initiative is passionately committed to nurturing wholesome, confident, and purposeful girls through comprehensive mentorship, robust educational support, and transformative empowerment programmes.
From Adversity to Advocacy: A Personal Journey of Resilience
Ebu's profound dedication is deeply rooted in her own challenging childhood experiences, which were marred by emotional neglect, persistent verbal abuse, and the trauma of growing up within a dysfunctional family environment. Following her parents' divorce, she was raised in a village setting under arduous conditions, where she frequently faced demeaning remarks that sought to diminish her worth simply because of her gender.
"I was constantly told I would amount to nothing," she recalls with determination. "But I refused to let those words define me." Despite encountering significant financial hardships that initially prevented her from attending university, Favour exhibited remarkable resilience. She steadfastly rejected unethical offers that could have compromised her dignity, and later, after marriage, she pursued a diploma programme at the University of Lagos—a pivotal moment she describes as a divine intervention that reshaped her path.
The Genesis and Growth of Bethharan Royal Babes Foundation
These life-altering experiences culminated in the creation of the Bethharan Royal Babes Foundation, a girl-child awareness and transformational institute that has been actively impacting lives for over 13 years. Through its bi-monthly programmes, the foundation provides essential mentorship, counselling, and practical tools to equip girls for leading purposeful and confident lives.
"We are raising girls who are emotionally, physically, psychologically, and spiritually balanced," Favour explains, highlighting the holistic approach of her organisation. The foundation's impact is both tangible and inspirational, extending beyond mere advice to include vocational skills training. For instance, it has empowered girls by training one in hairdressing, another in tailoring, and two in catering, with one beneficiary further supported to study Food and Nutrition at Yaba College of Technology, thereby bridging the gap between skill acquisition and higher education.
Expanding Support and Overcoming Challenges
In addition to skills training, the foundation offers flexible support based on available resources, stepping in to assist with needs such as examination fees whenever possible. To date, more than five girls have received educational support, with four currently enrolled in universities. A particularly remarkable success story involves a beneficiary who travelled to South Africa seeking better opportunities but was initially denied admission and employment. She was later informed that membership in a recognised female-focused NGO in Nigeria was required. Her affiliation with Bethharan Royal Babes Foundation proved to be a breakthrough, as official documentation provided by Favour enabled her to secure both church support and admission for further studies.
The foundation's reach extends beyond young girls to include children, teenagers, youth, and single mothers, creating a robust support system for females at various life stages. "We are here to remind every girl that she has value," Favour asserts. "She is not a mistake, and she is not less than anyone." Operating with limited resources, the foundation conducts counselling sessions in nearby eateries and relies on the support of family members, including her husband, daughter, and siblings. Despite these constraints, its impact continues to grow, though funding remains a major challenge, restricting expansion, outreach, and access to essential resources.
Advocacy and Community Building Through Literature and Programmes
Undeterred by obstacles, Favour remains steadfast in her mission, leveraging her authorship of books such as Girls Have Questions, The Woman: A Mistake or A Mystery, and Treasures in the Trash to address critical issues affecting the girl-child and inspire them to discover their inherent worth. She advocates passionately for equal investment in both boys and girls, emphasising that empowering the girl-child is fundamental to nation-building and global development.
Her programmes are designed not merely to instruct but to foster a sense of community and belonging. From celebrating birthdays to hosting end-of-year events replete with gifts, food, and talent showcases, the foundation cultivates an environment of hope and solidarity for every girl involved, reinforcing the message that they are valued and capable of achieving greatness.
