Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI) reflects his administration’s commitment to empowering Lagos residents and expanding economic opportunities.

Mr Sanwo-Olu disclosed that no fewer than 3,800 beneficiaries would be empowered under the initiative.

The governor made the assertion at the MESI programme organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) on Tuesday at Ikeja, Lagos.

The MESI is a grassroots economic empowerment programme by the WAPA that provides indigent residents with start-up capital, working tools, and equipment to foster self-reliance across the state’s five divisions.

According to Mr Sanwo-Olu, MESI reflects the government’s resolve to improve lives, expand opportunities and enable residents to achieve their full potential through sustainable economic empowerment.

The governor said his administration had, over seven years, delivered practical results through the THEMES+ Agenda, ensuring development reached urban, rural and riverine communities.

The THEMES stands for: Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos 21st century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, Security and Governance.

He said empowering small businesses, artisans, traders, women entrepreneurs and youths remained central to building a resilient and prosperous Lagos economy.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said MESI was more than distributing equipment, describing it as fulfilling the government’s promise to create wealth, generate jobs and promote financial independence.

He said investments in infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, education, technology, security, social protection and enterprise development had improved residents’ lives across the state.

“The strength of any government is measured not merely by the size of its economy or the scale of its infrastructure, but by how many lives it touches.

“When we empower one entrepreneur, we strengthen a family; when we support thousands of entrepreneurs, we strengthen the economy of Lagos State.

“Every empowerment package distributed today represents hope renewed, dreams restored and confidence in the ability of our people to succeed.

“We will continue to invest in our people, expand opportunities for small businesses, strengthen economic inclusion and ensure that the benefits of good governance reach every household,” he said.

The governor commended the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecilia-Dada Bolaji, for implementing impactful empowerment programmes across Lagos.

He urged beneficiaries to maximise the support, grow their businesses, create jobs, support their families and contribute to the state’s economic development.

Also, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said the state would sustain empowerment programmes, noting that beneficiaries had continued to share testimonies of improved livelihoods and transformed lives.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity given to them by the state, grow their businesses and train others.

“Some of the people that trained you were former students of the state’s skills acquisition centres.

”In three to five years, you will be successful enough to train others and increase the prosperity of everyone in the state.

“We promise not to stop the programme; we shall continue to increase the number of people to be empowered,” he said.

Also speaking, Omolara Olumegbon, chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), commended the governor for his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the people.

Ms Olumegbon praised the commissioner of WAPA, Cecilia-Dada Bolaji, for her dedication to empowerment initiatives, especially for the vulnerable members of the state.

“This initiative is about equipping people with the right skill, knowledge, confidence, and opportunity needed to build sustainable livelihoods.

“When we empower people, we strengthen the family, the communities and prosper leadership,” she said.

She pledged her commitment to supporting policies that will create an enabling environment for small businesses, empowering women and youths.

Past beneficiaries appreciated the Lagos State government for their benevolence.

Temitope Azeez said WAPA’s catering training and empowerment support enabled her to establish Moattreats Services, now serving customers nationwide and internationally, transforming her livelihood.

Adeola Enegide said WAPA’s 2024 catering and hotel management training enabled her to establish a business, urging beneficiaries to extend the state’s gesture by empowering others.

Hajia Aisha Islam said she would make good use of the opportunity given to her by the state.

Another beneficiary, Miss Yewande Afariogun, expressed appreciation to the Lagos State government, saying the empowerment would enable her to become self-reliant and make a meaningful impact.

The permanent secretary of WAPA, Rianat Onigbanjo, said the empowerment items symbolised hope and opportunities for self-reliance, urging beneficiaries to use them productively to build sustainable businesses.

(NAN)