Jan. 23, 2022

The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has restated its commitment to drastically reduce poverty and the plight of vulnerable women with the presentation of grants to Women-focused, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that have supported vulnerable women residents in the State.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony tagged: “Grants-In-Aid Ceremony”, held recently at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Alausa, Ikeja, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) stated that the event demonstrated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to promoting empowerment for women by collaborating with the NGOs.

Dada, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo, commended the NGOs for running with the vision of State Government, saying “I applaud your collective roles which are targeted at fueling the fight against the social menace undermining women emancipation in the State, as well as promoting women participation for socio-economic growth to stimulate economic self-reliance and equal access within the labour market”.

“It is interesting to know that NGOs are not only directing their commitments towards Government and inter-governmental processes, but also fighting for a global ban on Gender-Based violence and the elimination of the girl-child slavery. The Grants provided are in fulfilment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s well-articulated T.H.E.M.E.S agenda which has served as a motivating force for his administration”.

Also speaking, a representative of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Lagos Branch, Chinwe Efobi, applauded the State Government for its continuous contributions towards empowering women, promising that the NGOs will channel the grants into initiating, embarking on and sustaining programmes and activities to support indigent and vulnerable women in the State.

The occasion was marked with the presentation of cheques to 25 representatives of women-focused, Non-Governmental Organisations across Lagos State in appreciation of their laudable contributions towards empowering and rehabilitating vulnerable and indigent residents of Lagos State.