Lagos assures youths, women of continuous investment in empowerment programmes

By Oluwatope Lawanson

As the Lagos State Government on Tuesday graduated 3,262 from its 19 skill acquisition centres, it has promised not to relent in investing in women’s and youth empowerment programmes.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State gave the assurance at the Y2020 graduation ceremony for students of the 19 Skills Acquisition Centres in Lagos.

Certificates and work tools were presented to the graduands during the ceremony held at the Skills Acquisition and Vocational Training Centre, Isheri, Lagos.

The mega empowerment scheme is an initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA).

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, noted that the programme was very important in order to ensure that Lagosians are financially and economically independent, in line with the administration agenda of making Lagos a 21st-century economy.

He said, “It is our belief that this mega empowerment programme will be able to limit the impact of the economic situation on Lagosians.”

The governor advised the graduands not to underrate themselves but to work hard to become the best in whatever they do.
“l implore you to maximize this given opportunity and expand your horizon.

“Don’t cut corners or cheat people but be honest, resilient, and committed in your dealings with people,” he said.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Cecilia Dada, said that the Programme bridges the gap between young school leavers, drop-outs, and vulnerable, young men and women, who are not academically inclined or were not able to pursue their scholar educational goals due financial restrictions or poverty.

According to Dada, “Young people normally have restless and exuberant nature which are often embedded in frivolous activities.
The commissioner, however, said that through the THEMES Agenda, the State Government had been able to harness such restless energy, and channeled it towards productive enterprises of immense benefits to the State and the Country at large.

She, therefore, urged the graduands to seize the opportunity provided by the State government to be employers of Labour as well as help their families thereby reducing the level of poverty in their communities.

“I urge the participants to become employers of labour and also generate wealth for the benefit of their families as well as the Lagos communities.

NAN reports that no fewer than 20 vocations are taught free of charge, across five divisions of Lagos State. These skills include hairdressing and cosmetology, catering and hotel management, computer training, bricklaying, textile designing, hat making, bead stringing, baring, and printing technology.

Others include Shoe Making and Leatherworks, Furniture and Woodwork, Welding, Block/Tile Laying, Adult Literacy, Aluminum Fabrication, Rubber Marcaine & Graft, Fashion design/Dressmaking, Photography, amongst others. (NAN) (