Women empowerment will reduce poverty, says Sanwo-Olu 

By Emmanuel Oladesu 

The wife of Lagos State governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday reflected on the soaring unemployment in the country, stressing that continuous women empowerment will halt the trend and reduce poverty.

She lamented the National Bureau of Statistics’ (NBS’) figure of 23 per cent unemployment rate, which may increase to 33 per cent this year, unless actions are taken.

Noting that empowerment is a collective endeavour, the governor’s wife urged women in public offices to support and lift up womenfolk.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu spoke at the Micro Enterprise Enhancement Scheme and Cosmotology Training for Women held at the Academy Hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja. She was accompanied by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat.

No fewer than 400 women were trained under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Programme facilitated and hosted by the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, while many women also received money for trading.

The woman leader hailed the NDE for the training and empowerment, saying it would assist indigent women.

Okoya-Thomas advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the training and money provided for them, instead of using the money for frivolous things.

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Lauding President Muhammadu Buhari for the NDE scheme, she said more opportunities were underway for women.

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu praised Okoya-Thomas and the three senatorial women leaders – Fausat Gbadebo (East), Kofo Ajayi (West) and Mrs. Otitolaye (Central) for their passion for women welfare.

She said that the training covered soap making, healthy insecticide and perfume jelly production, as well as financial support, adding that “these life-transforming initiatives will reduce poverty and foster self-reliance.”

NDE Director-General Dr. Nasir Argungu enjoined the trainees to imbibe the virtues of discipline, capacity for long hours of work, perseverance, continuous learning and improvement, customers relations, networking with colleagues, trainers  and mentors.

APC Chairman Tunde Balogun, who commended the NDE for the training and loan disbursement, said the statutory duties are not exclusively targeted at women.

Southwest NDE Director Serena Edward described unemployment as a national plague, urging stakeholders to support the directorate in its bid to stem the tide.

At the event were Mrs. Kehinde Babalola, who represented Southwest APC Women Leader Mrs. Kemi Nelson; APC Vice Chairman (West) Chief Funso Ologunde; Secretary, Lanre Ogunyemi; Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo; Legal Adviser, Demola Sodiq; his deputy, Debola Ladigbolu; NDE board member Olorunfunmi Basorun; Mrs. Omolola Essien; Prince Abiodun Abu; Mrs. Yinka Osinubi; Mrs. Modupe Osheghale; Mrs. Abiodun Bankole; Mrs. Subu Ajose and NDE official Mrs. Adeola Sahafau.