Lagos State Government says it has empowered 10,385 residents, particularly vulnerable women, through its Micro-Enterprise Support Initiative to make them financially independent.
Mrs Cecilia Dada, the Commissioner for Women Affairs Poverty Alleviation, made this known in a recent empowerment programme for 1,500 underprivileged people at the Isheri skills acquisition centre in the state.
In her statement, the intervention programme is designed for vulnerable and indigent residents across the state, irrespective of religion, health status, or political leaning.
She said: “Today, we are empowering beneficiaries with working tools through our social intervention programme. An initiative aimed at ensuring that participants are certified to be self-reliant so they can support their families and contribute their quota towards the Greater Lagos vision.
“The focal point of the initiative remains the grass-roots level and WAPA is unwavering in its efforts to financially liberate many community dwellers through its numerous empowerment programmes.”
She urged the unemployed and underemployed in the state to enrol in any of the 20 tuition-free skills acquisition centres across the five divisions of the state for better opportunities.
Mrs Oluyemi Kalesanwo, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said the government was unrelenting in its drive to empower vulnerable women in the state.
She maintained that the ministry was dedicated to the empowerment of youth and women and intensified its efforts to alleviate poverty and curb forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
