WAPA reaffirms support to vulnerable women through Mega Empowerment

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), on Wednesday said the government would continue to initiate programmes to support vulnerable women in the state.

Mrs Bolaji Dada, the Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, made this known during WAPA 3rd Quarter Mega Empowerment Initiative held at Sea School in Apapa.

He said: “Let me reiterate here that the Ministry, in line with its vision to sustainably reduce poverty in Lagos State, will continue to initiate, embark and sustain Programmes to support indigents and vulnerable women in Lagos.

“The intervention of Lagos State Government is crucial at this period, when Nations all over the world are clamouring for better ways to eradicate poverty and accelerate women empowerment, through local strategies.

“WAPA is very passionate about the plight of women in Lagos State, especially at the grassroots level, and has made concerted efforts to empower them through its numerous programmes.

“Our vision is to have highly resourceful women who will groom formidable youths towards a progressive Lagos.”

Dada said the quarterly Mega Empowerment initiative was initiated by the government to empower and engage vulnerable women in the state.

She said the programme which held once a year, was changed to a quarterly programme to capture more women in the various communities in Lagos.

“This Programme is meant to take care of the needs of vulnerable women in Apapa Local Government, with distribution of empowerment materials like Grinding Machines, Sewing machines and Hair-dryers.

“Others are clippers with Sterilizers and Generators, Pop-corn machines, Sharwama grillers and Toasting Machines, amongst others.

“The recipients of the first phase were selected from Oshogun, Owode-Orile, Araromi, Omojuwa, Ajegunle, Idi-Orogbo and Tapa settlements.

“Close to 1,000 women are expected to benefit from this community-based initiative,” she said.

The Commissioner added that the programme would also cover Sari Igamu, Ijora-Badiya, Ijora-Oloye, Nanti Village and Shitta Communities.

She advised beneficiaries to use the equipment judiciously to enhance their means of livelihood.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ibara Johnson, who received hair-dryer, thanked the State government for the initiative.

Johnson said she would put the equipment into good use and empower other people with her craft.

“I am very happy that I am part of the beneficiaries, God bless the government for remembering people like us,” she said.

Also, Mrs Ramota Rahman, who got a grinding machine, expressed her gratitude to WAPA and the State government.

“I am full of joy and overwhelmed, the grinding machine I have presently is over 10-years, with this new one, I will be able to attend to more customers without stress,” she said.

source: www.nnn.ng / omotola ajayi