Two grandmas, 4,590 others complete Lagos skill acquisition training
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday graduated over 4,500 people, including two grandmothers, from its skill acquisition training programme for economic empowerment.
According to a statement made available to the press on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Gboyega Akosile, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation supervised the vocational courses undertaken across Lagos over the past year. Beneficiaries were trained in areas like catering, fashion, welding, furniture-making and more.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while addressing the graduates, said the free initiative aims to make youth self-reliant and improve grassroots economies through entrepreneurship.
The governor singled out 66-year-old Majekodunmi Bolanle and 64-year-old Kuburat Animashaun, who voluntarily enrolled to upgrade their digital skills despite being retirees.
The governor said, “There is no gainsaying that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are the backbone of any economy, contributing to economic development and prosperity in many ways, chief among which is job creation and providing employment opportunities for people.
“We have continued to encourage vocational and skills acquisition as a pragmatic approach to alleviating poverty and promoting women and youth empowerment for financial sustainability. This administration will not hold back investment in these programmes, believing firmly that lifting people out of poverty is the cardinal goal of government.”
Sanwo-Olu advised beneficiaries to maximise the platform to improve living standards and pass on knowledge to empower others. He directed graduates to government agencies supporting MSMEs for business funding and opportunities.
“We set up the Ministry of Wealth Creation to hand-hold entrepreneurs and provide support for them. LSETF is another agency working to improve your business. You must show commitment that you are ready for the future. We want to see you in the next five years and be proud of this accomplishment you have achieved today,” the Governor said.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Bolaji Dada, noted that besides technical skills, participants underwent business mentoring to guide their entrepreneurial ventures. She urged channelling skills into positive enterprises.
The top 19 trainees received starter packs like equipment and tools from the Lagos government to immediately commence practising their vocations. The training produced 3,263 female graduates and 1,329 male graduates.