Lagos Organises Short-Term Training, Empowerment Programme For Muslim Women

The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), has organised another tuition-free, short-term, skills acquisition programme for the female members of various Islamic organisations, including Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Al Mu’izz, Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) and the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) among others.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the programme held at the Alausa Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, said the training was organised by the government to improve the socio-economic development of Lagos residents.

Mrs. Dada, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs. Funmi Adegoke, stated that the programme was also designed to equip participants with relevant skills that will make them financially independent to sufficiently provide the needs of their respective families.

She said: “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu understands that women play significant roles in societal development for stability, progress and long-term development of nations. As such, he always approves policies and programmes created to ease the plights of women across the State”.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo, who was represented by the Director, Women Affairs Department of the Ministry, Mrs. Olufunke Shyllon, submitted that WAPA remains focused on its goal of alleviating poverty, especially among women residents in every part of the State.

In his remarks, the Chief Imam, Alausa Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Abdulgafar, represented by the Mosque Manager, Alhaji Saheed Junaid, expressed gratitude to the State Government for the programme and applauded WAPA for its commitment to the improvement of women in the State.

He said: “I am grateful to WAPA for engaging our women in this type of programme and I encourage the beneficiaries to make appropriate use of all they have learned and to also extend the knowledge acquired to other people around them”.

At the end of the ceremony, participants were presented with certificates and empowerment starter packs to establish their trade ranging from Wig Making and Hair Braiding, Make-Up and Gele Tying, Tie and Dye, Catering and Confectionaries, among others.