MSMEs: After up-skilling, LASG empowers 2,000 Tradesmen, Artisans with modern equipment

…As Sanwo-Olu issues out three hectares of land to stakeholders

By Moses Adeniyi

No less than 2,000 Tradesmen and Artisans graduated from a training and up-skilling programme on Tuesday were empowered with advanced working equipment by the Lagos State Government (LASG).

The training and up-skilling were channeled by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) under the Lagos State Tradesmen and Artisans Empowerment Programme ((LASTAEP), with partnership to avail the stakeholders with advanced equipment empowerment.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Grand-finale of the 2021 edition of the Artisans’ Day Celebration and Graduation Ceremony for the 2,000 up-skilled Tradesmen and Artisans held at Ikeja, the State Capital, said the effort was central to the reflections of the Administration’s THEMES Agenda, which has developing the State’s economy as a central focus.

According to him, based on the theme of the 2021 edition tagged “Technology and innovation: Bedrock of the Development of Tradesmen and Artisans”, it was high time to change the focus of crafts in the State to respond to the use of advanced technology and equipment.

Governor Sanwo-Olu who averred that technology and innovation were the bedrock for economic development across the world, assured that his Administration would continue to stand at the fore-front of advancing the State’s economy through digitalised demands of the 21st Century.

“I can see that our Tradesmen and Artisans are becoming digitalised. They are coming in tune with the reality of the 21st Century. The Artisans that are in Lagos are ready to take the future forward,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu added that all the training and equipment delivered to the stakeholders were borne out of deliberate measures to develop their working capacities, mentioning that it was to enhance their professions through technological technique to ensure better productivity and efficiency.

According to him, the machines provided would save the stakeholders from the drudgery with the associated fatigue which using crude implements bring.

“All of the trainings that we have given to you and all the equipment that we have purchased in partnership and handed over to you, is because we do not want you to be belittled by any one. You are our pride. You are the pride of our own state. You are the pride of your individual professions.

“What we have done here today is to enhance and improve the efficiency of your profession. It is to make sure you can make more money. To ensure you can do it quicker, faster, better, and proper, and to show others this is the new way, seeing the government working with you to deliver that future,” his words.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed that his Administration’s commitment was to propel growth of the informal sector to foster the future of the State’s economy through the extension of Micro and Small enterprises.

He assured that the State Government would not relent from ensuring that sustainability is maintained to create opportunities for small businesses towards the THEMES Agenda, which according to him, captures the place for the stakeholders in the pillar of “making Lagos a 21st Century.”

He said: “We believe in you because we know that the future is entrepreneurship; the future is small scale businesses that can grow and develop our economy which every one of you represent. That is why we are here as a government to ensure that you are empowered as individuals and groups.”

Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu at the event declared the resolve of his government to release, without charges, the approved three hectares of land at Ganyingbo Private Development Scheme within Badagry Local Development Area for the building of the Lagos State Council for Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA) Secretariat.

In her remarks, the State’s Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, said the approval for the empowerment despite the hardship pose by the COVID-19 pandemic, was a reflection of the Governor’s “commitment to the growth and development of the State’s Trademen and Artisans.”

She said the upscaling of the beneficiaries to 2,000 in the second and third editions of the scheme under the present Administration was a reflection of support given to the private sector whick speaks volume of the value attached to the State economy.

She added that the annual upscaling is a clear desire to ensure tradesmen and artisans were acquainted with developments in the sector.

According to her, the efforts which culminated into the 2021 graduation which is the 3rd edition under the present Administration, was conceived by the importance to recognise and showcase the potentials and contributions of the informal sector to the economic development of the State.

According to her, support programmes implemented under the present Administration among others, include provisions of N6million for the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans; training and up-skilling of 2,000 artisans in 2020 and 2021; provision of palliatives to Tradesmen and Artisans to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic; development of Artisans’ Virtual Market; organisation of Mental Wellness Training; and provisions of standard and modern equipment for the beneficiaries

“We have continued to foster the creation of an enabling environment for our Artisans through access to market, capital and capacity building by partnering with the Private sector by way of impact investment,” the Commissioner said.

The graduation, she said, was “a clear demonstration of our commitment to continually improve the quality of our Artisans for global competitiveness.”

Her words: “The capacity building was specifically designed to impact positively on your skills set, sharpen your entrepreneurial skills, broaden your horizon, provide competitive advantage and equip you towards becoming the 21st century Artisans in line with the present Administration’s THEMES Agenda.”

She however urged the graduands to reciprocate the gesture by contributing their “quota towards the attainment of the Greater Lagos, your Lagos, my Lagos, and our Lagos.”

The stakeholders who were taken through for 8-weeks intensive training programme were further empowered with the use of advanced technological devices and standard equipment to boost their operations.

In his remarks, the President, Lagos State Council for Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA), Nurudeen Buhari, appreciated the Governor, mentioning that upscaling the up-skilling slots from 1,500 to 2,000 with equipment empowerment was unprecedented.