The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, empowered a total of 1,050 vulnerable and indigent residents in the state, through a scheme tagged, Mega Empowerment programme covering all the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.
The event, which held at De Blue Roof in Lagos Television Complex, Ikeja, marked a turning point for thousands of residents who could not hide their admiration for Governor Sanwo-Olu and his administration.
The Governor noted that the programme is in line with the foundational ideology of his political party, the All Progressives Congress, adding that it is an attempt to boost the economy of the most vulnerable in the society.
In his remarks, “One of the key functions of government is to bring the greatest good to the greatest number of the people. Living in poverty, or on the edge of poverty, is akin to being submerged in water, struggling to stay afloat. Poverty alleviation seeks to ensure that every person in the water is helped out, onto a boat, where they can then get a chance to take charge of their lives and their journeys henceforth.
“What we are doing here today therefore is lending a hand, to pull the most vulnerable people among us out of the water, in line with our campaign promises and the manifesto of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.
“It is therefore in line with this foundational ideology that, today, over 1,050 Lagosians made up of vulnerable women, indigent residents, as well as graduates of skill acquisition centres will be receiving requisite support to lift them out of poverty and set them firmly on the journey to financial/economic independence.”
The Governor stated that women empowerment shall remain a top priority of his administration, adding that any society that neglects the full potentials of its female population is guilty of short-changing itself.
He further stated that the programme would be done on a quarterly basis.
Meanwhile, apart from the financial support, beneficiaries also received business support tools and equipment such as grinding machines, hair dressing tools, sewing machines, tyre repair kits, among other materials.