The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has said it included internally displaced persons and asylum seekers in its short-term skills acquisition training.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Dada, said this on Monday at the graduation for beneficiaries of its four-week short-term training for women in Igando community in Lagos.

Mrs Dada, represented by Oluyemi Kalesanwo, said the programme, which started in 2019, was initiated by the state government to support indigent and vulnerable women across the state.

According to her, about 13,750 individuals have benefitted from the training since 2019.

She said: “The focus of this programme by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is to uplift the lives of indigent, vulnerable and internally displaced persons, as well as people with disabilities, across various communities.

“Others which we have had have gone a long way in providing individuals with the necessary skills to improve their livelihoods and break free from the cycle of poverty.

“We have taken it upon ourselves to extend our support to internally displaced persons and asylum seekers from Congo and Sierra Leone, who have found a haven in Lagos.”

The commissioner commended the state government for its support to vulnerable women through various programmes.

She said the beneficiaries would receive free working tools to enable them kick-start their personal businesses with the skills acquired.

A Cameroonian, Thuytrang Aponbomgbon, who was one of the beneficiaries, applauded the Lagos State government and the ministry for the privilege to be part of the training.

She said, “I’m happy and thankful for the opportunity extended to us (foreigners) to be part of this training.’’

Also, a physically challenged person, Abosede Joseph, commended the government for the initiative with the aim to improve the financial status of women.

“I’m delighted to be part of this four-week programme and I want the government to sustain and extend the training to other people with disabilities,” she said.

The participants were engaged in tie and dye, catering and confectioneries, gele tying and make-up application, hairdressing and wig making.

Others included fabrics stoning and embellishments, production of soap and pomade, healthy insecticide production, barbering techniques and others.

The participants were also presented with different working tools such as makeup kits, cooking gas, clippers, sewing equipment, items for soap making among others.

(NAN)