Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced on Tuesday that his administration has empowered over 11,885 start-up businesses in the last four years.
The initiative, part of the Year 2024 Lagos State Micro-Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), focuses strategically on micro-enterprises to stimulate economic progress in Lagos State.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, highlighted the commitment to reducing poverty and amplifying the wealth of Lagos residents. The empowerment programs target the indigent, vulnerable individuals, and graduates of skills acquisition centers within the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the pivotal role of Micro-Enterprises in driving economic development, reducing poverty, and generating employment. The support includes tools and equipment such as milling machines, sewing machines, professional hair dryers, barbing clippers, generators, pop-corn machines, shawarma grills, toasting machines, snail pens, industrial cookers, tile-laying machines, and garri processing equipment.
Commending the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) for driving the commendable efforts, Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded the program as a tangible demonstration of the commitment to social inclusion. The initiative aligns with the administration’s goal of leaving no one behind in the journey towards a Greater Lagos.
Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, Commissioner for WAPA, congratulated the recipients and reiterated the state’s dedication to empowering individuals and groups. She emphasized Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to implementing policies under the T.H.E.M.E.S plus agenda, focusing on economic growth and development.
Highlighting the state’s stance against idleness, Dada stressed the government’s duty to ensure equal opportunities for everyone, stating, “We recognize the plight of those who are less fortunate and face significant challenges in their daily lives. It is our duty as a government to ensure that no one is left behind and that everyone has equal opportunities to succeed.”
The initiative is part of the broader strategy building upon the blueprints of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s predecessors, aiming to construct a continually advancing Greater Lagos.
