Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged graduates of the state’s skills acquisition centres to take charge of their future by putting their newly acquired vocational skills to good use.

Sanwo-Olu, who gave the charge during the 2024/2025 graduation ceremony for the over 5,000 students that successfully completed their training in various trades, organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) at the De-Blue Roof, LTV 8, Ikeja, congratulated the skills acquisition graduating students.

He described the graduation as a personal priority and a powerful call to action for the beneficiaries to begin their journey into entrepreneurship.

The governor said that the state had produced close to 40,000 graduates from its vocational centres over the last five to six years, even during the challenging times.

He, however, praised WAPA for its consistency and promised that the government would continue to support the graduates beyond the training.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, described the ceremony as a major achievement in the ministry’s efforts to promote economic empowerment, self-reliance, and sustainable livelihoods.

She said the graduation is a reflection of the resilience and determination of the over 5,000 individuals who completed training in various vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

Dada also highlighted the ministry’s life skills economic empowerment programme, a four-week intensive initiative targeted at women and youths across different local councils, noting that the programme is inclusive to accommodate vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities, parents of out-of-school children, and survivors of gender-based violence.

She, however, said that the graduates would be given start-up kits to help them launch their businesses immediately and begin their journey to financial independence, saying that the next round of the ministry’s micro-enterprise support initiative would begin on August 19, with 70 per cent of its benefits going directly to the participants.

Wife of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, encouraged the graduates to approach the future with confidence, creativity, and integrity.

She praised her husband for his support, and also commended Dada for her professionalism and dedication to women’s empowerment.

Guest Speaker at the event, Bolatito Ajibode, also charged the graduates to keep growing and not give up on their dreams.