Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable businesses, women, and indigent youths through the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI).
During the 2024 edition of MESI held in Ikeja, over 1,500 new beneficiaries were empowered through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA).
In his address, Sanwo-Olu highlighted that more than 5,000 individuals have benefited from the initiative over the past five years. The program aims to support socio-economically disadvantaged women, indigent youths, and graduates of skills acquisition centers.
Beneficiaries received various empowerment tools and equipment, including tiling machines, shawarma grillers and toasters, fabricating machines, sewing machines, barbing kits with sterilizing units, generators, and hairdressing equipment.
“I am delighted to join you today at this 2024 MESI, implemented through the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA),” Sanwo-Olu said. “This program underscores our administration’s commitment to consistently empower Lagos residents, creating an inclusive and prosperous society.”
Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of initiatives like MESI and Skills Acquisition Centers in providing necessary support for citizens to thrive. “By empowering vulnerable women and indigent youths, we aim to stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and create a more inclusive Lagos,” he added.
He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment provided, stressing that these tools are meant to foster economic and financial independence, not to be kept as gifts.
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Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, in her welcome address, highlighted the significance of humanitarian and social protection interventions for vulnerable women and indigent youths across Lagos State. She announced additional support measures, including the distribution of over 200 Point of Sale (PoS) machines with start-up funds and free registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Moreover, the Ministry recently trained 300 women in the catfish business, with 100 beneficiaries set to receive free catfish feeds to enhance their business growth. Communities such as Ikorodu, Agege, Mushin, Lagos Island, Badagry, and Epe were covered, and N50,000 cash grants will be given to 50 Makoko Fish Sellers to support their businesses.
“In the last five years, this administration has successfully empowered over 10,000 beneficiaries through various economic empowerment programs,” Dada concluded, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting different economic ventures.
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