In a renewed effort to promote women’s economic empowerment and strengthen grassroots development, the Shijuade Grassroots Movement for Asiwaju and Hamzat has commenced an empowerment initiative targeting 1,000 women across Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area and Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The initiative is being implemented in two phases, with 500 women in Oshodi and 500 in Isolo set to receive financial grants to support their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Speaking at the launch of the first phase in Mafoluku, Oshodi, on Saturday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said the grants would help beneficiaries strengthen their businesses, become more financially independent and contribute to their households’ welfare.
He described the initiative as a way of bringing the benefits of governance closer to residents, particularly at the grassroots, and urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the financial support.
The commissioner also urged residents to support President Bola Tinubu and the APC’s governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, as well as other party candidates contesting seats in the Senate and House of Representatives in the forthcoming elections.
He said continued APC leadership would help sustain ongoing development and build on existing achievements.
“We are in a season of continuity, and we are here to assure the people of Oshodi that supporting continuity will bring further progress and development to the community,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Hakeem Shittu, said governance should deliver tangible benefits to residents, regardless of their social or economic status.
“We want the people to feel the impact of governance and understand that the government is always there for them, irrespective of their status or position,” he said.
On education, Shittu said the government was working to ensure that financial difficulties did not prevent children from accessing schooling, adding that parents from indigent backgrounds were also being supported to meet their children’s educational needs.
“Today, you do not need to have everything before you can send your child to school. We are also empowering parents from indigent backgrounds so they can adequately cater for their children’s needs,” he said.
He also described the APC’s preferred governorship candidate as experienced and knowledgeable about governance.
“The person we are supporting for governor is experienced and understands governance. He is not coming into government to learn on the job,” Shittu said.
In her remarks, the convener of the event, Shijuade Idowu-Tiamiyu, highlighted the importance of political sensitisation and advocacy among women, noting their influence in shaping decisions within their families and communities.
She said the initiative recognised women’s ability to multiply the impact of resources entrusted to them.
“We are empowering 1,000 women, with 500 in Oshodi and 500 in Isolo, because we believe that whatever you give a woman multiplies,” Idowu-Tiamiyu said.
She urged women to take an active role in the forthcoming elections by promoting political awareness and participation in their communities, and called on them to support Tinubu, Hamzat and other APC candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives.
“As pillars of the family, women must continue to steer their households in the right direction,” she said.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Idowu-Tiamiyu urged them to invest the grants in productive ventures that could improve their livelihoods and support their families.
“Whatever grant you receive, ensure you put it to meaningful use by investing in something productive that will improve your livelihood,” she said.