Over 16,900 made employers of labour in four years of Sanwo-Olu – Commisioner
……additional 1,050 women benefitted from farming, empowerment for rural women
……10,385 beneficiaries of MESI empowered with working tools; 8,000 widows empowered
By Moses Adeniyi
No less than 16,900 Lagos residents were lifted from poverty through technical empowerment to become productively valuable with capacity to employ labour within the duration of the four years of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration which is still running.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Lagos, Mrs. Bolaji Dada disclosed this, mentioning that the empowerment were channeled through 20 Skills Acquisition Centres eatabliahed across the State by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation where no fewer than 20 vocations are being taught free of Charge.
She disclosed that aside from the 16,900 which were trained and empowered through the vocational centres, additional 13,500 Women had been trained and empowered in the 4-Weeks Short-term Skills Acquisition programme organised by the Ministry from 2019 till date.
She said the Governor Sanwo-Olu led administration in the operational implementation of policies using the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda, the government’s policy thrust, has strategically ensured the actualisation of the agenda, giving premium reflection to gender equality and has indeed embrace equity, in line with with International best practices on Developmental Economic strategies.
“In line with the THEMES Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has established 20 Skills Acquisition Centres across the State, where no fewer than 20 vocations are being taught free of charge,” Dada who spoke at the Year 2023 International Women’s day Celebration tagged: “#Embrace Equity”, organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, said.
According to her, 16,900 students have graduated from year 2019 till date, “most of whom had become employers of labour through the skills acquired and Certificates being awarded which has enabled them proceed for further education in the State.”
“These has helped to reduce unemployment in the State,” she said.
On the Micro-Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) which is a social intervention by the State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, she disclosed that the Ministry had empowered a total number of 10,385 beneficiaries with working tools within the period under review.
“The Ministry had trained 500 women in Digital marketing and gave Androids to them , in order to cushion the effects COVID-19 pandemic on their Micro businesses in the State,” she added.
According to her, 8,000 widows have been empowered by the Administration from 2019 till date, 3,000 during the International Widow’s day and the others at various empowerment interventions.
She added that the Ministry under her watch had also given Grants-in-Aid to women-focused Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as support for their services towards humanity.
“1,050 women had benefitted from the cassava/vegetable farm cultivation and empowerment for rural women,” she said, adding that “they were given free farmland to cultivate their crops for 10 months.”
She added that 300 women were trained on Cat-fish breeding, “with a good number of them already thriving as entrepreneurs.”
She further stated that the State Government through the Ministry has taken a stance against all forms of Gender-Based violence.
“From time to time, we organise programmes on Advocacy and sensitization against all forms of violence against women and the public. We have organized workshops on Good Parenting, to curb social vices and to educate parents on their roles in curbing sexual violence from their homes,” she added.
Describing Sanwo-Olu as “HE for SHE Champion”, she mentioned, he is very passionate about the plight of women in Lagos State.
She related the actualisation of the feat to the support and vision of Governor Sanwo-Olu, stating “I will like to emphasize that all these programmes were possible because of the support of our able Governor, Mr. sellable, Mr. Project, Mr. Railway, our incident Commander, our HE 4 SHE champion, the Omoluabi of Lagos.”
“The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu at the inception of his Administration, has reiterated his unwavering commitments, to Implement policies using the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda which is geared towards economic growth and development through the blueprints of his predecessors, in order to build a progressively Greater Lagos.
“In almost four years, this Administration has been working earnestly to actualise the electoral promises and manifesto of the All Progressive Congress ( APC), by translating the Vision into actions in the march towards achieving a Lagos that is at par with International best practices on Developmental Economic strategies.
“Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the progress made towards achieving gender – equality and women’s empowerment as instituted by the United Nations on the 8th of March. More importantly, to critically reflect on those accomplishments and strive for a greater momentum towards gender- equality worldwide.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we at the Center of Excellence; Lagos, Nigeria, join the change makers all over the world in a unanimous alliance to prioritize gender equality and indeed Embrace Equity.
“This particularly showcases the importance of women and Girls’ empowerment, even as it evaluates their rights to economic resources, access to sexual and reproductive well- being, as tools for socio- economic growth of every State,” she said.
She said the theme of the International Women’s day tagged: “#Embrace Equity”, is thought provoking, even as, “it encourages us to celebrate women’s achievements, raise more awareness on creating opportunities, as well as, take actions to drive gender parity.”
“Today, we celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while acknowledging the ongoing struggle for gender- equality.
“Embracing equity means ensuring that all women, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the same opportunities and resources. It means promoting policies and programmes that address the specific needs and concerns of marginalized women as well as create a level playing field for all,” she added.
She called on stakeholders to be committed to embracing equity, and work towards creating a world where all women can thrive and fulfill their potential.
“Let us continue to advocate for gender – equality even as we work towards a future where women are valued and respected as equal members of the society,” she added.
She encouraged “women in Lagos state, Nigeria and all over the world, to avail themselves of various opportunities to become empowered, self-reliant, self-confident, even as we strive to attain Leadership positions across the World.”
“Let us continue to work together towards a better and more equitable future for all women,” she said.
She congratulated all the women acknowledging other key women advocate champions in the State including the First lady, Lagos, Dr. (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who she described, “as a woman per excellence”, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and his wife, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat.
