Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the launch of the 2024 edition of the Micro-Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI), designed to uplift vulnerable businesses, women, and indigent youths by providing essential tools and support for business growth. This year’s event, held in Ikeja, empowered over 1,500 beneficiaries through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA).
Sanwo-Olu highlighted that over 5,000 individuals have benefited from MESI in the past five years. The program focuses on socio-economically disadvantaged women, indigent youths, and alumni of skills acquisition centers. Beneficiaries received various empowerment tools, including tiling machines, shawarma grillers and toasters, fabricating machines, sewing machines, basic barbing kits with sterilizing equipment, hairdressing tools, and generators.
“I am happy to join you today at this Y2024 MESI, implemented through the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA). Programs like this show our administration’s commitment to consistently empower residents of the State, creating an inclusive and prosperous society,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “By empowering this segment of our population, we aim to stimulate economic growth, reduce poverty, and create a more inclusive Lagos.”
Sanwo-Olu encouraged beneficiaries to utilize the provided equipment to achieve economic and financial independence, urging them to become worthy ambassadors of the state.
In her address, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, emphasized the importance of social protection interventions for vulnerable women and indigent youths across Lagos’s LGAs and LCDAs. She announced the distribution of over 200 PoS machines to some beneficiaries, along with startup funds and free registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The Commissioner added, “Recently, the Ministry trained 300 women on catfish business, with 100 beneficiaries receiving free catfish feed to enhance business growth. We covered over six communities: Ikorodu, Agege, Mushin, Lagos Island, Badagry, and Epe. Additionally, N50,000 cash grants will be given to 50 Makoko Fish Sellers to support their businesses.”
Dada noted that the administration has empowered over 10,000 beneficiaries in the past five years, providing various economic empowerment equipment and gadgets through MESI.
Empowering Lagos: MESI’s Continued Impact
The 2024 MESI program represents a significant step in Lagos State’s efforts to foster economic growth and resilience. By targeting and supporting micro-enterprises, the initiative helps create jobs and promotes a vibrant local economy. Through continued commitment to empowering vulnerable groups, Lagos State is paving the way for a more prosperous and inclusive future.
