The Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NGCARES) Lagos State Livelihood Support Delivery Platform 1.3 has empowered about 5000 vulnerable persons in four Local Government Areas of Lagos State.
The empowerment, which was done in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) was set up by the Federal Government to assist indigent persons across the Country.
Speaking at the event held recently at the Women Development Centre, Agege, the Head of the Livelihood Delivery Platform, Lagos Cares, Toyin Salami said the programme was established to eradicate poverty as well as strengthen small and medium enterprises in the State.
Salami noted that the previous editions have impacted over 3000 beneficiaries and the ongoing edition is targeted at 5000 beneficiaries, with about 3300 trained on Day One of the event.
On her part, the facilitator, Bukky Femi-Ajala explained that the beneficiaries were trained in business management skills, bookkeeping, and other managerial skills for a thriving business enterprise.
“They have to be empowered in terms of business management skills; how do I keep my books; how do I expand my businesses, and how do I even manage this grant that I have been given”, Femi-Ajala said.
One of the beneficiaries, Aratu Bamidele-Ige, a person with a disability and a pastry vendor from Ojokoro in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, hinted at incorporating the training she has acquired into her business and also reinvesting her capital into her business for growth.
“I have learned a lot from what the facilitator trained us on; I am very neat with my business, and I believe this will help my business to grow”, Ige said.
Another beneficiary and an aluminium manufacturer, Olamilekan Sonde, from Alimosho Local Government Area, said that the grants would help him to acquire more equipment for his business and enhance productivity.
Additionally, Uchegbu Chinyere Gift, who is into garment production, from the Alimosho LGA, said “We will have to maximize whatever money the government is going to support us with to have profit”.
The empowerment programme was held in five centres across the state namely Alimosho, Somolu, Badagry, Ibeju Lekki, and Ojo. Grants were distributed to all 5,000 beneficiaries, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to provide sustainable support to vulnerable individuals across Lagos State.
The NGCARES Lagos State Livelihood Support Delivery Platform is part of the federal initiative aimed at fostering resilience and economic stimulus for vulnerable populations. The programme focuses on empowering individuals with essential skills and grants to support their businesses and enhance their livelihoods.
