The Lagos State government has taken a significant step towards promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls in the state.

A nine-member committee has been established to domesticate the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy, which aims to improve access to economic opportunities, financial inclusion, and gender mainstreaming for women and girls.

The committee’s establishment was announced by the Commissioner of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecelia Dada, during a follow-up visit by a delegation from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and the Development Research and Projects Centre.

This was contained in a statement signed by the DRPC on Wednesday.

The national WEE policy was launched in 2023 to provide a policy guide for addressing the challenges hindering women’s development and growth in Nigeria.

The establishment of the committee in Lagos State is a strategic intervention to ensure that women and girls in the state have access to economic empowerment opportunities, thereby promoting gender equality and reducing poverty.

While commending the NIPSS and DRPC for selecting Lagos State as one of the cohorts at the subnational level to work with in domesticating the policy, Mrs Dada mentioned that it is in line with Governor Sanwo Olu’s vision for gender inclusion and economic empowerment of all Lagosians.

She noted that several WEE engagements have been implemented in the state, but it was expedient to domesticate this National WEE policy to guide its implementation.

She committed to domesticating the policy, and as a show of commitment, she noted that the committee selection that would drive the process would commence today, following this engagement.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Yemi Kalesanwo, reiterated the Ministry’s strong commitment. She emphasised Lagos State’s dedication to adopting the policy, aiming to significantly enhance the lives of women in the state.

Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, mentioned that the visit aimed to discuss actionable steps for implementing the WEE policy at the state level.

He disclosed that NIPSS and dRPC are collaborating with seven states across the six geopolitical zones to domesticate the policy within two years, with plans for more states afterward.

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has said it has carefully synchronised the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (CARES) with the THEMES+ agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration to improve livelihood  of vulnerable households in the State.

It described the NG-CARES initiative as a transformative scheme, serving as a catalyst for empowerment that addresses not only immediate needs, but creates a pathway for sustained prosperity.

According to the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, under the “unwavering commitment” of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration to shared prosperity, the NG-CARES social impact initiative has become one of the driving forces in realizing the vision of the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Development Agenda, “standing as a testament to our dedication to alleviating poverty and fostering sustainable livelihoods.”

Finnih speaking at a-one day sensitisation programme at Ikeja, the State Capital, organised for the new 1,716 beneficiaries admitted into the NG-CARES Labour Intensive Public Workfare (LIPW) DLI 1.2 across 20 Local Government Areas of the State, explained that the social intervention programme as a support system is providing opportunities for meaningful engagement and breaking the cycle of poverty across the State.

Speaking on the essence of the sensitisation exercise, she stated that beneficiaries need to be enlightened about the myriad opportunities and benefits associated with their participation in the programme, maintaining that beneficiaries must understand the profound impact their dedication to the project can have in the life of the larger community.

“As beneficiaries, you are not just workers; you are integral members of a larger community working towards a common goal. We believe in your ability to make a positive impact. Your commitment to self-improvement and community betterment is commendable and serves as an inspiration to us all,” she enthused.

While maintaining that the transformative initiative which is being midwifed by the Office of the SDGs has achieved a significant milestone with the graduation of over 1,700 beneficiaries in the first phase, Finnih explained that the inclusion of new set of beneficiaries underscores the programme’s scalability and its potential to reach an even larger audience.

“This expansion reflects our dedication to inclusivity and our firm belief that the benefits of sustainable development should be extended to as many individuals as possible. This platform has already graduated over 1,700 beneficiaries from various communities, working with organizations like LAWMA, Public Works, Ministry of Transportation, LASPARK, Primary Health Cares, and other intervention agencies,” she noted.

She disclosed further that as the state continues to navigate emerging challenges, the government remains steadfast in its dedication to the well-being of every Lagosians, laying the groundwork for lasting positive change in the lives of our people at the grassroots level.

On her part,  the Permanent Secretary, Office of Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs. Tolani Oshodi affirmed that enrollment of the new beneficiaries into the Labour-Intensive Public Workforce is an essential step to extend the benefits of the social intervention and involve more vulnerable Lagosians in the project.

Represented by the Director, Administrative and Human Resources, Office of SDGs, Mrs. Nike Akanji, the Permanent Secretary revealed that the delivery platform plays a pivotal role in the overall implementation of the NG-CARE project, adding that the scheme has significantly enhance the socio-economic well-being of vulnerable members of our society and alleviate their challenges.

“The administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is responsive to the necessities of the people and we are dedicated to providing opportunities to achieve a state of well-being and socially acceptable standards of living for all our citizens,” she stated.

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has announced plans to convert under-bridge Ijora which was recently cleared and sanitised to a recreational space.

The government had last week after a five-day quit notice, destroyed illegal shanties occupied by squatters under the bridge.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had earlier lamented that block moulders, fuel sellers, and miscreants occupying the space under the bridge pose a security risk, stressing that the government would not allow it to continue.

Giving an update on the development, Wahab in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle revealed that the cleared space will be used for the public benefit of Lagos residents.

According to him, the endeavour which aims to restore the public space for the benefit of Lagos residents, will have community members also participating in the inspection and planning process.

“Following the expiration of the Commissioner’s five-day notice to unauthorised inhabitants of the Ijora Under-Bridge, the Special Task Force, under the direction of ACP Bayo Sulaiman, executed the removal of makeshift structures. Subsequently, the Lagos Waste Management Authority swiftly commenced the removal of debris.

“This initiative, however, extends beyond mere demolition and clearing. Guided by the directives of Governor #jidesanwoolu and HC #tokunbo_wahab, a team comprising the General Manager of LASPARK, Hon. Adetoun Popoola; the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende; and the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Abiodun Ogunleye, has embarked on a mission to transform this area into a recreational space.

“This endeavour aims to restore the public space for the benefit of Lagos residents, with community members also participating in the inspection and planning process.

“The transformation of Ijora Under-Bridge is poised to complement the adjacent National Theatre Complex’s ongoing refurbishment, and further enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Lagos,” he added.