The Lagos State government is set to train women and youths on various life skills as part of measures to provide socio-economic support to Lagosaians to help cushion the economic impact of COVID-19.
This was disclosed by Cecilia Bolaji-Dada, Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation while delivery a keynote address at the June Congress of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Lagos.
The June congress which was organized in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the current executives of the association was tagged “Post COVID – 19: Financial recovery and empowerment opportunity for women”.
While delivering her speech, the commissioner explained the government will train grass root women in various vocations as well as agric businesses with the purpose of attaining food sufficiency adding that vulnerable women, widows, aged amongst others would be empowered economically.
She added that, “to cushion the effect of the pandemic ravaging the World, the Lagos State through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is set to train hundreds of grass root Women in various agric businesses. Also, the Ministry economically empower vulnerable Women, Widows, Senior citizens, Artisans and more graduates of the Skills Acquisition Centres. “
Bolaji-Dada stressed the need to for women in Lagos to invest time and energy on Agriculture, “this is the time to go back to the soil. While re-ordering our priorities, you will agree with me that any in post Covid-19 World today, the average person will prefer to eat well to stay alive rather than buying Clothes, Shoes or indulging in unnecessary travels.
“The time to think out- of- the- box by engaging in specific Skills and agriculture is now,” she added.
She urged women to key into the efforts of the state government to eradicate poverty adding that, “as Women, we must make a resolve to be economically viable wherever we find ourselves. We must refuse and reject all forms of Poverty. Now more than ever is the time to be financially independent and also to make ourselves relevant in the scheme of things.”
On her part, the Chairperson, NAWOJ Lagos, Comrade Adeola Ekine explained the relevance of the topic to female journalists following the trends in the media space as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19 on most media organizations.
Ekine explained that, “the topic is very relevant at this time because some media houses are downsizing while some are owing salaries for several months, therefore our members need alternative sources of income and empowerment opportunities.”
She also appreciated members of the association for the support in the last one year, she asked for more collaborations and support to help move the association forward.
“Let me express my profound gratitude to all wonderful Sisters and colleagues for their steadfastness and unshaken love for our great association (NAWOJ) over a year ago.
“It’s a year to remember, since our executive was given the mandate of steering the affairs of the Lagos State chapter of NAWOJ, a noble association, targeted at empowering women journalists for better and greater participation in all spheres of life.
“In one year, I want to say the journey has not been so smooth and it has been a learning period for us.
“I want to implore us all to remain United, we shouldn’t let anything divide us. We need to remember the common phrase which says, “United we stand, Divided we fall,” she concluded.