Fifty-Four women-focused Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have each received cash grant of N250,000 from the Lagos State government to boost their effectiveness.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Mrs. Cecilia Dada, who presented cheques to the beneficiaries, said the gesture was to encourage them to do more in complementing government’s efforts.

She said: “Our focus is to empower women and take care of their welfare. This is why we regard these women-focused NGOs as our partners in progress because they have been able to reach women that we cannot reach. So we thought it wise to give them this cash grant of N250,000 to encourage them to do more for women in Lagos State.

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“We have over 300 NGOs registered with the ministry, but we decided to recognise the most hardworking ones. Before now, we used to give 25 NGOs N100,000 each, but we increased the beneficiaries to 54 and the amount to N250,000 because we realised they are very hardworking and can be encouraged to do more, and it can only get better.”

A beneficiary, Mrs. Debola Oni, who runs Grace’s Place, a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Agege, thanked the government for the gesture.

“I’m overwhelmed by the largesse of Lagos State and I salute Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for this great encouragement and this great leap of faith in us. It’s an enormous sum considering the economic situation, and I believe that the funds given to us will go a long way in enriching and empowering the victims of domestic violence. It is really encouraging and I’m taking home the words of the commissioner that if we do more, they will even support us more. This is a great impetus for us to keep on the battle and keep on the work,” she said.