Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, has empowered 250 Households, Orphans and Vulnerable Children with various start-up tools for self-reliance and independence.
According to a government statement issued Friday evening, the move was part of efforts to enhance the wellbeing of orphans and vulnerable children in Lagos State.
Sewing machines which were distributed at the event
Speaking at the Household Economic Strengthening (HES) for Orphans and Vulnerable Children empowerment programme held on Friday at the Correctional Centre for Boys, Yaba, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olusegun Dawodu identified poverty as the leading cause of household vulnerability and separation in society today.
He argued that most families have abandoned their parental roles in attempts to provide basic needs for their families which had led to children being abandoned, neglected and exploited for financial gains.
“The Orphans and Vulnerable Children are affected/infected with HIV/AIDS and malnourished due to extreme poverty. They are also marginalised, stigmatised or even discriminated against and need care or protection,” Dawodu said.
Hair dryers which were distributed at the event
The commissioner disclosed that the HES comprises a portfolio of interventions to reduce the economic vulnerability of families and empower them to provide for the essential needs of the children they care for rather than relying on external assistance.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, said that the empowerment programme is to make significant contributions to the efforts of vulnerable households in the state by helping to strengthen their economic capacities and empowering them to provide more for the essential needs of the children in their care.
“This programme is one of the actualisations of the T.H.E.M.E.S Development Agenda of the present administration and the fulfilment of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s promise to reduce poverty in the State to the minimum, increase their economic independence and improve their ability to provide for their children,” she said.
Freezers which were distributed at the event
Mrs. Victoria Ekarika, an Entrepreneurship Coach, enlightened the beneficiaries of the programme on the need for them to have a business plan, budget, financial discipline, saving culture, investment plan and record keeping in order for them to be successful in business.
Some of the beneficiaries of the 2021 edition who were at the event include Ms. Stella Onyelu, Ms. Precious, Olayinka Johnson and Funmi Okafor. They testified on how the training and empowerment tools they were given had in no small measure improved their financial life.
Popcorn making machines which were distributed at the event
Some of the empowerment tools distributed to the beneficiaries at the programme include deep freezers, popcorn making machines, vulcanising machines, hair dryers, sewing machines, clippers, and grinding machines.
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