The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has empowered 350 residents with working tools comprising hair dressing kits, popcorn machines, shoe making pack, tailoring machine, vulcanizing machine, among others,
Speaking at the 5th edition of the Community Sensitisation and Empowerment Initiative by the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu, who said that the empowerment is part of the commitment to the well-being and prosperity of every individual in the state, urged the beneficiaries to put the tools to good use to liberate themselves and become independent individuals.
The governor’s wife also appealed to individuals and private organisations to emulate the efforts of the state government at this critical period by providing empowerment support to deserving individuals as a way of supporting the government and the would-be beneficiaries.
She said that the effort stands as a testament to the collective resolve to empower the communities, uplift the marginalised, and foster a culture of inclusivity and progress as partners in a shared vision of a greater Lagos.
She added that empowerment in form of cash, vocational tools and human resources are some of the ways which the Office of the First Lady corroborates the efforts of some state government ministries, departments and agencies that have the core mandates for human capacity development and empowerment programmes.
“Interventions from the Office of the First Lady of Lagos State, empowerment of the citizens occupy a unique position, because this gesture is extended to both young and old men and women.
“From skills training and entrepreneurship development to healthcare awareness and educational support, our efforts at the Office of the First Lady are multifaceted and far-reaching. We believe that by investing in our people, we are investing in the prosperity of our state.
“Other strategic areas of support and interventions by the Office include the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), health care interventions, social welfare programmes for orphanage homes, educational interventions, the fight against drug abuse, boy-child and girl-child initiatives, empowering the youth and women, and caring for the physically and financially disadvantaged, just to mention a few.”
Sanwo-Olu stated that her office recently concluded another edition of its Community Senior Citizens Visitation Initiative in Ikorodu and environs where gifts and cash were given to some senior citizens identified through the database of the state government.
“Community Senior Citizens Visitation is a welfare programme initiated by the present First Lady of Lagos State to reach out to elderly individuals in the State across the various IBILE Divisions.
“This gesture, as well as the empowerment of 350 beneficiaries holding today, aligns with our vision of impacting lives and building legacies through the utilization of need-based platforms, social advocacy, and facilitating and leading collaborative actions.
“Let me inform this gathering that the sensitization aspect of this program tagged Financial Literacy had been held before now and I believe that these beneficiaries have been properly briefed about how to handle and utilize these tools.
“Let me inform you also that we have put a mechanism in place to ensure that these items are used for the purposes for which they have been given.
“Our aim at the Office of the First Lady is to initiate supports that will help reduce poverty to the barest minimal and foster economic growth, especially among the vulnerable and less privileged.
“As part of the inclusive policy of the present administration, we have ensured that different sections of the society are captured under this empowerment Programme. We have beneficiaries from vulnerable groups such as youth, widows, and persons with disabilities.
“I know that our work is far from done. There are still challenges to overcome, barriers to break, and dreams to fulfill. But I believe that together, united in purpose and determination, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”
