The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has commenced the empowerment of women in underserved communities with essential financial literacy skills and access to economic opportunities for long-term financial independence.
The initiative, under the Human Capital Development (HCD) programme, focuses on providing women with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed financial decisions, manage personal finances, and have access to economic opportunities that abound across the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, while speaking at the empowerment outreach held recently at the Olu of Iwaya Palace, Yaba, expressed government’s commitment to fostering financial inclusion, bridge economic gaps, improve the quality of life, and promote sustainable development across Lagos State.
According to her, “This campaign focuses on building financial literacy among women in underserved areas across Lagos, helping to bridge the financial inclusion gap and provide access to essential financial knowledge and tools”.
Dr. Finnih explained that the economic intervention is designed to complement several empowerment programmes that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration has institutionalised to promote sustainable growth and inclusive society.
“This effort aligns with the state’s Human Capital Development (HCD) objectives, ensuring that women in hard-to-reach communities gain the skills they need to thrive financially”, she stated.
While acknowledging the strategic partnership of Africa HCD Plus, Opay Digital Services, and Cowrywise in advancing socio-economic inclusion, the Special Adviser encouraged beneficiaries to actively apply the knowledge gained, empowering themselves and their communities toward financial independence and resilience.
In her remark, the Chief Executive Officer, Africa HCD Plus, who was represented by the Head of Finance and Administration, Mrs. Margret Omanibe, described the Financial Inclusion and Skills Development Outreach for Underserved Populations as a vital component of HCD, adding that a lifelong accumulation of knowledge, skills and health that are the most essential resources to realise the full potential of people as productive members of society.
The CEO stated that efforts to ensure the effective contribution of a knowledgeable, skilled and healthy population to development require unlimited access to financial services and other opportunities that are gender and pro-poor compliant.
Acknowledging the State Government’s impressive efforts in the implementation of the HCD Project, she affirmed that the organisation remain committed to supporting the State’s efforts at accelerating the achievement of better HCD outcomes that are conditional on ensuring adequate investment in a range of areas, especially for underserved communities.
“We are encouraged to renew our commitment to supporting the state to fulfill its aspirations for delivery of better Human Capital Development outcomes in the near future. We congratulate the Lagos State Government and all other stakeholders for ensuring effective implementation of the Human Capital Development Advocacy Project of Lagos that we support”, she disclosed.
Officials from the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) were also present to sensitise and enrol beneficiaries into the state’s health insurance scheme.
The Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) also participated in registering residents of the community, ensuring they have access to identification and social services to help beneficiaries have access to other government empowerment initiatives.
The programme will benefit 1,200 Women from 12 underserved communities across the state and will further support the government’s efforts to build a just, equitable and productive society.
