By Babatunde Kaka
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has officially unveiled the Asiwaju Women Cooperative, Thrift & Credit Society sponsored by the Lawmaker representing Epe Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Wale Tani in the Epe, Lagos State.
Dr Sanwo-Olu presented cheques and certificates to presidents of the 32 cooperative societies with cash grants to the tune of sixty-four million naira.
In her address, the First Lady, described the gesture as a milestone in the history of the constituency, stressing that it was a veritable tool for the financial liberation of the women who benefitted.
“Today, we have the official unveiling and the presentation of cash grants to 1,280 women under the Asiwaju progressive Women Cooperative Thrift and Credit Society in the Epe federal constituency.
“When women participate in the economy, everyone benefits. This would be a no-brainer; this was said and quoted by Hillary Clinton. The above quote by the former United States First Lady and Secretary of State clearly underscores the essence of this intervention to 1280 women in the Epe federal constituency.
“Today’s event is indeed a milestone in the annals of the constituency and the beneficiaries who were drawn from the 20 political wards markets and artisan groups have been grouped in 32 cooperatives duly registered with the Lagos State Government through the Cooperative Department of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives,” she said.
Speaking further, Her Excellency praised the initiative which she said was well-structured while also expressing excitement about the fact that the initiative was orchestrated in honour of the national leader and presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“It is laudable that this program was put together to empower women but it is more commendable that it is well structured. The arrangement has been solid to create an institutional framework for a sustainable and participatory economic program for women within Epe federal constituency through this initiative.
“I am also happy to note that the societies were named after our great National Leader and presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is renowned to be passionate about creating equal opportunity for women and supporting them to any height in life.
“I have always maintained that women empowerment is central and pivotal to national development.
“Development cannot be said to be complete when a woman or women are deprived of the opportunity to actually participate in the progress. Every necessary effort must be made on a consistent basis to ensure that women entrepreneurs, artisans, and traders, especially at the grassroots are encouraged to take on viable economic activities in order to lead more women out of poverty thereby ensuring that wealth is wisely, sustainably and equitably distributed,” she said.
The first Lady, therefore, congratulated the lawmaker on the massive empowerment program, stressing that it was well-intentioned, well-focused and well-directed.
She hoped that the intervention would entrench an improved economic outlook for the women folks in Epe federal constituency and its environs.
She further recommended that the initiative should be replicated across the State and the country by other lawmakers, government, corporate bodies, other viable institutions and as well as other public-spirited individuals.
She added that the beneficiaries must strive to be committed to exploring numerous ways of expanding cooperative societies through business ideals to advance their socio-economic status.
See more pictures from the event:
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