LASG empowers 1,500 artisans

The Lagos State Government has empowered over 1,500 artisans with various tools of trade.

The artisans were empowered under the 2024 edition of the Micro-Enterprise Support Initiative.

They received various items, such as aluminum fabrication machines, manicure and pedicure kits; hairstyling kits, tile-laying machines; gas burners, cooking pots,  and cake mixers, among others.

The ministry also gave out over 200 Point of Sale machines to some of the beneficiaries with start-up funds and offered free registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission.

MESI, a programme coordinated by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, is tailored towards reaching out to  socio-economically disadvantaged women, indigent youths, and students through skill acquisition, and distribution of basic empowerment tools.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained that MESI reflected his administration’s commitment to consistently empowering residents of the state to create an inclusive and prosperous society..

He said, “This Micro Enterprise Support Initiative is designed to uplift vulnerable women and indigent youths by providing them with the tools and support they need to start and grow their businesses. By empowering this population segment, we aim to continue stimulating economic growth, reducing poverty, and creating a more inclusive Lagos.

“To the beneficiaries of this programme, I offer my sincere congratulations. I urge you to make judicious use of this opportunity and resources. This equipment is not given as gifts to be kept away, but they are tools to make you economically and financially independent and become worthy ambassadors of this great state.”

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji  Dada, said the gesture was to alleviate poverty in the state.