The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), has concluded a four-week intensive vocational training programme aimed at empowering 250 vulnerable women and youth with practical livelihood skills at the Lagos Island Youth Skills Acquisition Centre.
The Commissioner for WAPA, Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, led the closing ceremony on Monday, August 4, 2025, where she reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to grassroots empowerment.
The programme, held in collaboration with the Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria, is part of a broader initiative to reduce poverty and drive economic inclusion across the State.
Participants received hands-on training in skills such as fabric stoning, paint making, soap production, catering, and event decoration.
Each graduand was also provided with certificates and starter packs to support immediate business take-off in their chosen fields.
Dada praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his continued support of empowerment initiatives, noting that skill acquisition programmes are critical to unlocking economic potential and promoting self-reliance.
“This programme is about more than learning a trade — it’s about restoring dignity, unlocking futures, and building a more inclusive economy,” she said.
The event was attended by community leaders, WAPA officials, and representatives of the Ansarudeen Society, and featured a display of products made by participants during the training.
The initiative aligns with the State’s THEMES Plus Agenda, with a strong focus on social development, inclusive growth, and poverty alleviation.
