The disbursement held at the Conference Hall of Lagos Housde, Ikeja, is a continuation of grassroots poverty alleviation strategy of the Foundation set up by the renowned business mogul, Aliko Dangote in 1993. The programme is costing the Foundation a sum of N10 billion and six states have so far benefitted.
The programme, according to Dangote is to cover at least 1000 women in each of the 774 local governments in a bid to assist the federal government in the onerous task of poverty reduction by equipping the vulnerable women with some money to help them start a trade to improve family life. However, the number of beneficiaries in Lagos has been doubled in each local government in other to reach out to a larger population of women.
“We have chosen to partner with State governments to support women because in Nigeria, as in other developing countries, they bear the burden of poverty. And it is through their economic activities from the home, the market place or the farmlands that they keep the family, the community going meeting basic needs.
“This is one of the goals of Dangote Foundation’s Community Development Services”, he stated.
The Dangote Foundation, he said, sends its wishes to the women who will benefit from our grant and indeed from other government initiatives. It is their efforts and business success that will strengthen family and community bonds that are needed to transform this great state and this great country.”
Dangote then urged Nigerian government to invest in agriculture as a potent weapon against poverty saying agriculture has capacity to engage more Nigerians and give the nation much sought after foreign earnings much more than oil.
In his remark, Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode thanked Dangote for the gesture saying it’s a form of appreciation of what God has done for him in Life.
Said he: Alhaji Dangote’s decision to share his wealth with the people is an indication of his love for the people and should be emulated. He has decided to support our programme of regeneration in Lagos state, we are grateful to Dangote Foundation.”
“This empowerment programme will cover all deserving in the 20 LG and 37 Development Areas in the state. We will ensure that nobody is denied this grant not minding the political or religious leaning. We will continue to give the required environment to make business thrive in Lagos.”
The Governor then appealed to all the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the seed grant.
Welcoming the guests earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Lola Akande described the disbursement as histrionic in the state and perfectly in line with the policy trust of the state government to eradicate poverty and running an all-inclusive government.
She disclosed that the 16 Skills Acquisition Centers established by the stated government have helped to serve as panacea to unemployment, economic empowerment and poverty reduction particularly among women in the state.