Over 1, 500 startups received a major boost on Thursday as the Lagos State Government empowered them with tools, equipment and grants, to promote economic sustainability. This is just as the state government gave N50,000 each to 200 women.
The beneficiaries received the support during the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) WAPA in Lagos. Justifying the need for the initiative, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said building a foundation for self-reliance, boosting economic growth and unleashing the potential of women, irrespective of their background, would help transform their lives.
According to the governor, success stories from the first edition of MESI encouraged him to approve the second phase of the programme. “We have found the significance of this initiative in fostering sustainable development and economic empowerment.
It speaks volumes about our commitment to creating opportunities, reducing poverty, and nurturing the entrepreneurial skills that define our people,” he said. Sanwo-Olu said through skills acquisition, capacity building and financial empowerment, the state was creating a future where prosperity would be a reality. Commissioner of WAPA, Mrs Bolaji Dada, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his confidence in the potential of women and his support in ensuring they are empowered and economically sustained.
She said the programme was a beacon of hope for many aspiring entrepreneurs in the state. Mrs Dada said that about 70 per cent of the beneficiaries were graduates of WAPA’s skills acquisition centres. She said the tools and equipment, which had been carefully chosen to meet the diverse needs of the beneficiaries, would help support their businesses.
The tools and equipment include stoning and sewing machines, pepper grinders, hair dryers, cake mixers, standing facial steamers and aluminum cutting machines. Others are barbing kits, sterilisers and generators, two-phase burners, 12.5kg cylinders and agricultural items including fertilizers and seeds. “These valuable assets symbolise not just tools of trade but also instruments of transformation, designed to enable you to grow your businesses and uplift your communities.
You have been entrusted with these resources because we believe in your potential to create, innovate and excel. I urge you all to seize this moment, to embrace the opportunities laid before you, and to work tirelessly toward achieving your entrepreneurial dreams,” she said. The commissioner urged them to persevere, be dedicated and be willing to adapt and learn in order to succeed in their businesses.
