Lagos trains women, youths in vocational skills

The Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Bolaji Dada, has said that vocational skills will tackle unemployment and alleviate poverty, especially among women and youths.

According to a statement on Sunday, the commissioner disclosed this during the closing of a four-week, short-term training organised for 250 women from communities in the Epe Local Government Area.

Dada, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of WAPA, Mrs Oluyemi Kalesanwo, noted that the training which ran simultaneously in five selected centres across the state served as part of the state government’s poverty reduction strategy for women and youths.

She said, “The Lagos State government has embarked on vocational training for women, men and youths for financial growth, despite their locations across the state, as a means to curb unemployment and empower citizens towards self-reliance in a bid to achieve a viable economy and one of such socio-economic intervention programmes, is the four-week short-term skills acquisition programme.

“Over 12, 250 women, men and youths have benefited from short and long-term skills acquisition programmes organised by WAPA since 2019, some of whom now contribute to the welfare of their families.”

In her address, the Executive Chairman, Epe Local Government, Surah Animashaun, who was represented by the Council Manager, Mr Bakare Olakunle, said, “I encourage you all to maximise your knowledge and skills, so that you can bring glory to Epe LGA, through your crafts.”