Lagos State Government has graduated over 500 beneficiaries of its Liveskills Economic Empowerment Programme, also known as the Short Term Skill Acquisition Training.
The event celebrated the achievements of the beneficiaries from the Sanni Agbesinga Community in Alimosho and the Parafa Alagemo Community in Ikorodu North.
Since the onset of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, more than 15,000 individuals have received training in various skills, including makeup artistry, catering, soap-making, and event planning.
Each beneficiary was equipped with essential startup packs to facilitate their entrepreneurial journeys.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bolaji Dada, emphasised the programme’s comprehensive approach, which included training in entrepreneurial skills, health awareness, and environmental safety.
She was represented at the ceremony by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Oluyemi Kalesanwo.
“This event signifies not just the conclusion of a training program but the dawn of new opportunities for all participants,”
The highlighted the importance of applying the skills learned to significantly transform participants’ economic circumstances.
The Commissioner commended the dedication and resilience of the participants, encouraging them to use their new skills to empower their communities and inspire future generations.
“Even in retirement, you can create a formidable force for positive change,” she affirmed.
Dada reassured participants of the government’s ongoing support and announced plans for additional training programmes aimed at women and youth across various communities in Lagos State.
She expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering commitment to eradicating poverty and promoting financial independence among women.
In her vote of thanks, Director of the Women’s Department in WAPA, Olufunke Shyllon, urged participants to view the skills acquired as invaluable assets. She assured attendees that the Ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation Team would ensure the empowerment packs were utilised effectively to achieve the desired impact.
Local leaders, including Chairman of the Community Development Association in Ikorodu North, Adeniran Ogunbawo, and Secretary of the Community Development Association in Sanni Agbesinga, Olalekan Erinle, described the training programme as transformative, noting its potential to enhance local communities, stimulate economic growth, and combat poverty at the grassroots level.