Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecilia Dada, has declared that one viably way to ease the plights of vulnerable women and youths across the metropolis was to enhance vocational training, using local resources.
   
She made this at the closing ceremony of four weeks, of short-term training for 250 women from communities in Epe Local Council.

The training, which ran simultaneously in five selected centres across the state is expected to benefit no fewer than 1,500 participants in the third quarter of the year 2022, as well as serve as part of the state government’s poverty reduction strategy in its renewed effort to give vulnerable women in the state vocations that would make them economically independent.

Dada, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Oluyemi Kalesanwo, stated that the government had intensified efforts to drastically alleviate poverty among residents, especially for women, due to the significant roles they play in shaping society.
 
She said: “Lagos government has embarked on vocational training for women, men and youths for financial growth, as a means to curb unemployment, empower citizens towards self-reliance and achieve viable economy.”

Dada disclosed that over 12, 250 women, men and youths have benefited from short and long-term skills acquisition programmes organised by the ministry since 2019, some of whom now contribute to the welfare of their families 

She admonished the beneficiaries to never stop learning, saying “do not think that your training ends here. You should continue to sharpen your skills so that you become masters of your craft.” 

In her address, the Executive Chairman, Epe Council, Surah Animashaun, who was represented by the Council-Manager, Bakare Olakunle, commended the state government for the initiative geared at improving the lives of the people of Epe.