Lagos empowers over 5,000 skill acquisition graduates with tools
By Adeola Ogunrinde –
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), on Thursday distributed tools to over 5,000 graduates of its skill acquisition centres across the state. The beneficiaries were trained in trades including vulcanizing, welding, aluminium fabrication, carpentry, photography, barbing, catering, hairdressing, bead making, gele tying, and makeup artistry.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who presented the tools, urged the graduates to exercise patience and perseverance as they begin their entrepreneurial journeys. He advised them not to give up when faced with challenges, but to remain focused and purposeful.
“This graduation is a call to action. You now have the opportunity to turn around the fortunes of your family. Don’t quit. Build relationships, stay the course, and succeed,” the governor encouraged.
The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described the graduates as symbols of hope, resilience, and determination. She urged them to see their training as a transformative opportunity to build a better future.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, said the initiative aims to produce job creators and employers of labour, thereby boosting the state’s economy and reducing poverty.
She noted that the empowerment effort reflects the government’s dedication to inclusive development, especially the empowerment of women, youth, and vulnerable groups across Lagos.
Dada added that since the inception of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration, over 28,000 people have graduated from the state’s skill acquisition centres.
She also highlighted the success of the Life Skills Economic Empowerment Programme (LEEP), a four-week intensive training initiative for women and vulnerable groups, which has produced graduates from centres in Agbowa, Ejirin, Ado, Ikosi-Ejirin, Otta-Ikosi, Odo-Ayandelu, Ajeregun, Imofa, and Lagos Island.
