Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, stated that his administration remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting the rights of women, as it is intentional about breaking down barriers, dismantling discrimination, and creating an enabling environment where women can thrive.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), where artisans were empowered with working tools, Sanwo-Olu said the state government will continue to strengthen policies, laws, and institutions that guarantee safety, dignity, and equal opportunities for all women in Lagos State.

“It gives me great pleasure to join you all today at this very important event, the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI). This initiative is more than a programme; it is a statement of our government’s commitment to creating opportunities for women to thrive, to safeguard their rights.

“One of my greatest passions as governor of this state is to empower our women. Over the years, I have seen firsthand that when you empower a woman, you empower a family, a community, and indeed the entire society. Women are the foundation of homes, the drivers of small businesses, and the nurturers of future generations. Supporting them is not just a duty; it is an investment in the collective prosperity of Lagos.

“The Micro Enterprise Support Initiative was designed with this in mind to strengthen women-owned businesses, to provide the needed capital and resources, and to give our hardworking women a pathway to financial independence.

“Today’s beneficiaries are not just receiving support; they are receiving renewed hope and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our State’s economic growth.

“A few months ago, in April this year, I had the privilege of gracing another MESI empowerment series right here at this very venue. That gathering, just like today’s, underscored our unwavering determination to sustain this noble cause of uplifting our women through enterprise support. It gives me great joy to see how far we have come and the impact this programme is already making in countless households across Lagos.

“To today’s beneficiaries, I warmly congratulate you. This support is a seed. Nurture it with discipline, determination, and diligence, and you will reap abundant harvests. Let me, however, admonish you: do not sell this equipment or misuse this opportunity. They have been given to you to change your story, to lift your families, and to contribute to your communities. I expect you to use them productively, to build sustainable businesses, and to, in turn, empower others.”

Sanwo-Olu added that the greatness of Lagos depends on the strength of its people. “And the strength of our people is rooted in the empowerment of our women. Together, we will continue to build a Lagos of resilience, inclusivity, and shared prosperity,” he said.