LSETF, LCDA collaborate to empower entrepreneurs with N10m

The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and the Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have collaborated to empower 100 entrepreneurs with N10 million.

The entrepreneurs were empowered in various artisanal skills such as hair dressing, fashion designing, baking, mechanics and technicians amongst others.

“We are partnering with LSETF to empower 100 people, out of which 70 will be women and the rest will be men. One hundred thousand naira will be given to each entrepreneur to start a business after training,” Fuad Lawal, executive chairman, Ikoyi-Obalande of LGDC, said during the marking of the 2018 International Women Day.

To mark this year 2018 International Women Day, both associations empowered more women entrepreneurs than men.

Speaking on the need to celebrate the Nigerian women in Lagos last Thursday, Jumoke Otitoloju, executive director of Iya Ni Wura Children’s Foundation, said Nigerian women should work side by side with the men to ensure that things are put in proper place.

“Women should utilise technology to educate themselves and seize the opportunity to add more to their knowledge and ensure they are not left out. The joy of empowerment is when you see yourself fulfilled,” Otitoloju said.

Experts who spoke at the event advocated that the girl-child should leverage technology to educate and equip herself, stressing that the success of this movement can be seen if Nigerian men and women work together.

Alison Phido, executive director, African Radio Drama Association (ARDA), during her presentation entitled, ‘Women supporting women is good for the society’ said, “The Beijing platform for Action called for 35 percent minimum of national legislative seats to be reserved for women. But in Nigeria, we are nowhere close to this. Rather than move forward, we are moving backwards.”

“Imagine if this huge population of women fielded and supported more women to run for office. Imagine if we surpassed the 35 percent and have 50/50. That’s the situation in Rwanda, which has the world with women in parliament,” Phido said.

BUNMI BAILEY