In a bid to ensure financial independence for women in Lagos State, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has trained and empowered 250 women residents of Irewe Community in Ojo Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking during the training programme held at Irewe, a Riverine Community in Ojo LG, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), stated that the Lagos State Government has intensified its efforts to drastically alleviate poverty among all residents, especially among women who have been identified as the burden bearers in their families.
The Commissioner, represented at the event by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs. Funmi Adegoke, said the aim of the programme is to properly groom women and youths for financial growth, irrespective of location or religion across Lagos State.
In her words: “I am happy to inform you that this particular short-term training is targeted at women drawn from the riverine area within Lagos State and geared towards encouraging such women to be proactive in their endeavours”.
“Over 60,000 women and young adults have so far benefited from short and long term skills acquisition programmes organised by the present administration since inception through WAPA. Some of whom have now contributed to their families’ socio-economic development”, she added.
While urging the beneficiaries to sustain a proactive learning process, Dada implored them to continue to sharpen their skills, so that they become masters of their craft, saying “Learn to adopt the entrepreneurship skills you were taught during the training and practice proper book-keeping in order to access loans through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund”.
She advised prospective students, particularly unemployed persons or those underemployed, to enrol into any of the 19 Skills Acquisition centres across the State, which offer various vocational training for the duration of six to 12 months, in order to become financially independent. In his address, His Royal Majesty, the Osolu of Irewe Community, Oba Abideen Durosinmi, commended the State Government for the initiative aimed at improving the lives of his people and enhancing their socio-economic development.
He said: “I am very impressed by what WAPA has done for my people and I will ensure that those who have acquired a skill, share their knowledge with others. I assure you that I have already sought an approved partnership with the Local Government Authorities for the display and marketing of the finished products by graduands until Irewe Community Centre is erected. It is my belief that this move will help showcase our talent to the World”.
“I encourage all the graduands to maximise your acquired skills so that you can bring glory to Irewe Community through your craftsmanship”, Oba Durosinmi added
The beneficiaries were given Certificates of Completion as well as starter packs for wig making and hair braiding, make-up and gele tying, tie and dye, catering and confectionaries, garments stoning, pomade making, insecticide and stove wick, Ankara craft and interior decoration amongst others.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Miss Comfort Olowoeshin, who learnt Catering and Confectionaries, expressed her gratitude to the Lagos State Government for the opportunity, saying “With the skill I have acquired, I intend to start my business and be an employer of labour. I have even started selling my wares after the training but before this graduation ceremony”.