Targets 1000 Beneficiaries Across the State
The Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, on Tuesday, disclosed that the Ministry’s empowerment initiatives have been reviewed to produce more indigent beneficiaries in actualisation of the State Government’s vision to drastically reduce poverty among residents.
Speaking at the commencement of the distribution of empowerment equipment to indigent residents at the Skills Acquisition Centre, Ketu, Mrs. Dada said the empowerment materials would be distributed across Ishogun, Owode-Orile, Araromi, Omojuwa, Ajegunle and Tapa in Agboyi-Ketu LCDA.
She stated that the beneficiaries in the locations would receive various equipment such as Grinding Machines, Sewing Machines, Hair-Dryers, Hair-Clippers with Sterilisers, Generators, Popcorn Machines, Sharwama Grillers and Toasting Machines, amongst others.
The Commissioner explained that the idea of enumeration and identification of beneficiaries of empowerment initiatives at the grassroots was initiated by the current leadership of the Ministry to make the exercise more impactful and far-reaching.
She stated further that an evaluation carried out by the State government informed the idea of community-based distribution of empowerment kits, having observed some lapses in the initial method adopted by the Ministry.
While noting that more than 1,000 beneficiaries are targeted in the Mega Empowerment Initiative by WAPA, Mrs. Dada disclosed that the empowerment initiatives were done in collaboration with the Community Development Associations (CDAs), Traditional Rulers and the various Local Government and Local Council Development Areas across the State.
Imploring the beneficiaries to make optimal use of the equipment, the Commissioner maintained that the distribution will also be replicated in four other locations.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo, urged the beneficiaries not to despise the day of little beginnings but be determined to make a living out of the investment of the State Government in various skills acquisition materials.
She maintained that Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu would be encouraged to extend the initiative to more communities if the present beneficiaries make the best use of the empowerment materials.
The Chairman, Ikorodu-West Local Council Development Area, Mr. Sulaiman Olarenwaju, represented by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Fayemi, commended the government for initiating the empowerment programme, enjoining the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to support their families and the State.
“No matter how small this may be, I pray that it will turn around the economic situation of the beneficiaries positively. I believe the government will be happy to see that the opportunity has been used judiciously to improve the economy of the State”, he stated.
The Baale of Ishogun, High Chief, Oluwole Makinde, thanked God and the Governor for making the programme a reality, saying “I am highly elated about the gesture, which shows government loves the people, wants their progress and does not want the people to suffer”.
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CAPTIONS:
PIX 1: Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, at the Y2021 Third Phase Mega Empowerment Initiative held for indigent and vulnerable citizens of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA.
PIX 2-3: Empowerment equipment for 183 recipients as part of Mega Empowerment Initiative, held at the Skills Acquisition Centre, Ketu, by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
PIX 4-7: Recipients of the Mega Empowerment Initiative by WAPA as part of Community Intervention Strategy for Lagos residents.
