The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and Igbogbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have begun moves to bring access to finance, employability training and business support opportunities closer to residents of the community.
The initiative followed a meeting between officials of LSETF and the Chairman of Igbogbo LCDA, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, at the council secretariat on Wednesday.
The LSETF delegation, led by the Head of ME/MES, Mr Ibrahim Onimisi, briefed the council on the Fund’s mandate, programmes and interventions, with emphasis on the eligibility requirements, benefits and application processes for its various offerings.
Onimisi also highlighted areas for immediate collaboration between the Fund and the council, particularly in access to finance, employability training and business support programmes.
He stressed the importance of taking such interventions closer to residents at the grassroots to enable more people to benefit from the available opportunities.
Responding, Aroyewun expressed appreciation for LSETF’s contributions to employment generation, enterprise development and economic empowerment across Lagos State.
He reaffirmed the council’s readiness to partner with the Fund to ensure that residents of Igbogbo had improved access to its programmes.
The chairman expressed particular interest in the Access to Finance and Employability Training programmes, describing them as important tools for empowering young people and supporting aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in the community.
As an immediate step towards the proposed partnership, Aroyewun constituted a committee to begin arrangements for an on-the-spot loan application drive in Igbogbo.
He also pledged to provide a temporary facility for the exercise as soon as possible to enable residents to obtain information about the programmes and conveniently apply for relevant LSETF interventions.
The chairman further welcomed the proposal for a cheque presentation ceremony for successful loan beneficiaries, which is expected to take place in the first week of September, subject to the completion of the necessary processes.
He directed the committee to maintain close engagement with the LSETF team to facilitate the implementation of the interventions being considered by the council.
Aroyewun reaffirmed the LCDA’s commitment to providing the necessary support to ensure that residents, particularly young people and entrepreneurs, could take advantage of LSETF opportunities.
The meeting underscored the shared commitment of LSETF and Igbogbo LCDA to strengthening grassroots economic empowerment and creating pathways for residents to access finance, acquire relevant skills and build sustainable businesses.
