From Adeyemi Adeleye, Lagos
Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area ,LCDA, of Lagos State yesterday disbursed N50 million as grants to 1000 women in the area to support their businesses.
The Chairman of the council, Mr Fuad Atanda-Lawal, at “The Empowering Her Fortune Initiative ,EHF, 2.0” held at Muson Centre, Onikan, said that the initiative was supported by MTN Momo, the fin-tech subsidiary of MTN Nigeria.
Atanda-Lawal, who noted that his administration acknowledged the challenges faced by small businesses ,said the decision to give the grants was to change the narrative.
He said: “In April, we intensified our efforts, empowering 400 women with N50,000 each.
“Today, we will be providing support to over 1,000 women through grants of N50,000 each also. This financial assistance is not merely symbolic.
“It is a transformative force aimed at helping their small businesses flourish, offering a lifeline during these challenging times, and paving the way for new opportunities”.
According to him, the Council is equally empowering 10 outstanding beneficiaries of the April empowerment programmes with N100,000, based on their success stories.
He said that Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria ,SMEDAN, led by the Director-General, Mr Charles Odii, had also provided N100,000 for each of 10 outstanding businesses in the area.
“The essence of this initiative, again, is rooted in my strong belief that denying women opportunities equals to overlooking the invaluable contributions they can offer.
“Women are multipliers. Empowering women not only transforms their lives, but also enriches the entire community.
“When we elevate women, we uplift families and stimulate economic growth within our neighborhoods.
“This initiative serves as a foundational step towards building a better eco-urbanity, to cultivate a stronger and more inclusive community.
“This initiative stands as a testament to our dedication to gender equality, economic empowerment, and community advancement”, he said.
