LAGOS NG-CARES DISBURSES GRANTS TO OVER 4,500 BUSINESS OWNERS (PHOTOS)
Read Time:3 Minute, 59 Second
By: Ajape Sefiu A.
…As Beneficiaries Charged To Use Funds Judiciously
In an effort to empower business owners, the Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (MWAPA), in collaboration with the World Bank and Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-Cares), has disbursed life-changing grants to more than 4,500 beneficiaries on Friday, December 20, 2024.
This transformative programme which was held across different local government areas in the state, goes beyond financial support by incorporating short-term training and educational sessions for the beneficiaries. These sessions are designed to equip them with essential skills and knowledge on effective business management, strategic planning, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
By fostering a deeper understanding of business operations and leadership, the programme aims to empower participants to not only grow their ventures but also contribute meaningfully to the economic development of their communities.
The NG-Cares/LAGOS-CARES programme is aimed at expanding access to livelihood support and food security services and grants for poor and vulnerable households and firms.
The beneficiaries of this remarkable initiative comprise both male and female entrepreneurs, representing a diverse spectrum of business owners from all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the state.
Speaking with Hotjist at the Lagos Island Skills Acquisition Centre in Adeniji, Lagos, Ayodele Gbeminiyi Oluranti, the Lagos State Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the NG-Cares Programme, shared insightful details about the ongoing initiative.
She revealed that an impressive total of 4,588 beneficiaries across the state are currently receiving vital grants aimed at empowering entrepreneurs. This significant number reflects the broad scope and impact of the programme, which is designed to support individuals and small business owners by providing them with the resources needed to enhance their business operations and contribute to the local economy.
She further elaborated that for the Lagos Island Local Government Area, a significant total of 403 business owners have been identified as beneficiaries of these transformative grants.
Her words, “The DL 1.3 support for the Lagos State NG cares for the federal is to help the beneficiaries in Lagos State. That is, the less privileged, the vulnerable, to assist them in the growth of their business.
“We are supposed to quench the thirst of 4,588 beneficiaries under the NG-cares of the federal government of Nigeria.
“This venue is for the Lagos Island and the Lagos mainland local government areas.
“We have beneficiaries; for this local government, we have 403 beneficiaries. Both male and female.”
On her part, the facilitator of the training, Mrs. Saudat Salami, while enlightening the beneficiaries, also charged them to utilize the grants judiciously.
She passionately urged them to channel the funds towards meaningful and productive purposes that would enhance the growth of their businesses.
Salami further encouraged the recipients to view this financial support as a stepping stone to greater economic success and sustainability, reminding them of the collective responsibility to maximize the impact of the grants for the betterment of their ventures and their communities at large.
The facilitator went further by making it known to the beneficiaries the difference between grants and loans.
She further emphasized that the government remains committed to ensuring the effective utilization of the funds by putting in place a robust monitoring and evaluation system. This oversight, she explained, will track how the beneficiaries deploy the grants to ensure they are used for their intended purposes.
She highlighted that this measure is not just to maintain accountability but also to provide necessary support and guidance where needed, ultimately ensuring that the financial assistance yields meaningful results and contributes significantly to the growth and success of the beneficiaries’ businesses.
One of the beneficiaries, Onifade Benjamin James, who spoke with our correspondence, expressed gratitude to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, while also thanking the Nigerian government for the initiative.
“We are here today on invitation of the Lagos state government because the government has planned to help us and I’m one of the beneficiaries and I’m very pleased to be here today.
“All my prayers are that God will bless our governor and God bless Lagos State,” he said.
Another beneficiary from Lafiaji, identified as Ebunoluwa Odiase, expressed that she didn’t believe she’d be among the beneficiaries due to the large number of people.
Ebunoluwa then thanked the Lagos State Government while also promising to use the grant judiciously.
The Lagos Cares initiative underscores the government’s steadfast dedication to driving economic growth, alleviating poverty, and empowering small businesses throughout the state.
This inclusive approach underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to fostering equal opportunities for individuals from every corner of the state, ensuring that support reaches grassroots businesses and empowers local economies to thrive.
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