LAGOS TRAINS 2,000 WOMEN IN VOCATIONAL SKILLS
By Shaka Momodu

April 2, 2004 – (This Day -Lagos) In its determination to train and empower women towards alleviating poverty, Lagos State Government has successfully concluded the training of about 2,000 women in various vocational skills to enable them be self-reliant and improve their standard of living.

Speaking at the closing ceremony and presentation of certificates to graduands of the two weeks Skills Acquisition Programme for Women, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Joke Orelope-Adefulire, said the Programme is targeted at imparting various skills in 10,000 women by year end.

While stating that the programme which has already been planned to be in phases with the first phase comprising women from the Ikeja Division, the commissioner said the remaining four divisions would also benefit, in phases, adding that the next programme would commence next week.

Orelope-Adefulire said the importance of the programme lies in its long-term objective to encourage women towards meeting the challenges of the modern world, adding that it was designed to enable them acquire skills such as Tye and Dye, Hairdressing and Braiding, Balloon Decoration and Catering, among others.

In her words, "the various skills that were acquired by these women would be meaningful when practicalised, as such would create a new direction towards enhancing their capacity to develop themselves, including self-reliance."

The commissioner placed more emphasis on empowerment of women saying that arrangements are on-going to ensure that they are empowered through the provision of micro-credit in form of equipment and machinery to start their businesses.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200404020239.html