Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has empowered 500 skilled workers with tools as part of the initiatives of the Office of the First Lady to tackle increasing unemployment rate in the state.
The event tagged: 'Year 2024 'Community Sensitisation and Empowerment'held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, was the sixth edition since the advent of Sanwo-Olu's administration in 2019.
Beneficiaries of the start-up packages include hairdressers, auto-mechanics, shoemakers, caterers, carpenters, tilers, vulcanisers, make-up artists, tailors, barbers, popcorn makers among other vocational workers.
The Lagos First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hazmat urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the tools for themselves and to empower others.
She said this edition was an improvement from past editions as more tools were incorporated into the programme based on assessed needs and feasibility studies carried out by her office.
"As we present these tools that support trades such as hairdressing, catering, fashion design, barbing, tailoring, and other vocational skills, we are not merely handing over equipment. We are delivering hope, dignity, and the instruments of independence.
‘’We believe that true economic empowerment must be holistic, combining both skill acquisition and access to the necessary tools. This is why we deliberately designed two different approaches, starting with financial education and now proceeding to the practical phase with tools that will help our beneficiaries build wealth, generate income, and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic growth of our beloved state.
Mrs. Sanwo-Olu further urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the tools and not sell them, adding that whatever proceeds they realized from their businesses should be used for themselves and their families.
She assured the beneficiaries that some of them will be patronized for their services in future government events.
In her address, the commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecilia Dada, who was represented by Mrs. Toyin Salami commended the First Lady for the intervention adding that such initiative shows that every Lagosian deserves to thrive and succeed.
"Government is committed to supporting initiatives like this in line with the THEMES+ agenda. This empowerment is a seed so nurture it and let it grow," she urged the beneficiaries.
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