Dangote Foundation is set to offer Micro Grants to Lagos women with a committee inaugurated to select the beneficiaries. The programme is coming under the state Poverty Alleviation programme , in collaboration with Dangote Foundation.
Speaking at the inauguration of the committee at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, the state commissioner for women affairs, Lola Akande said the committee will be responsible for selecting, nominating and presenting eligible candidates as prospective beneficiaries from Ward Level to the State Government for final approval before they can access the Dangote Foundation Micro Grants.
While commending Dangote Foundation for its magnanimity in its move to reduce poverty among women by empowering them, Akande disclosed that the programme was aimed at boosting the household income generation of disadvantaged women such as widows, divorcees and special people, adding that each beneficiary will be awarded the sum of N10, 000 and a Mobile Phone.
“In view of Government’s commitment to raising the standard of living of the people and its attempts to reduce the level of poverty among residents in the State, the present administration is appreciative of the collaborative gesture from corporate bodies such as Dangote Foundation and would welcome more of such.”
In his remark, the Program Manager of Dangote Foundation, Musa Bala, said that Lagos State is the sixth beneficiary of the N10 Billion nationwide programme by the company having done the same in five other states before, adding that the N400 million Lagos project was meant for the economic empowerment of vulnerable widows and socially disadvantaged women in the State.
While enjoining members of the committee to be fair in selection of beneficiaries, Bala urged them to make equity and fairness their watch words in the selection process.
The Eight Member Committee include representative of Executive Secretaries of Local Government and Local Council Development Areas, representative of Traditional Institution in the benefitting Community, one representative each from the Islamic and Christian Organisations, Representative of Youth groups from community based organizations, two non- partisan, non- religious community members, and Community Development Officer/Welfare Secretary while the representative of the Executive Governor, Hon. Lola Akande will chair the Committee. [myad]
