1 month ago
5 ARTICLE AD
The member representing Lagos Island II Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Kayode Akiolu, has empowered over 1,144 market women in the constituents with grinding machines, boosting productivity and income.
This intervention by Akiolu has significantly boosted the local economy by empowering these women-owned small businesses with grinding machines, an important tool that supports them in delivering services to millions of households in Lagos Island and beyond.
The empowerment intervention facilitated by Akiolu implemented by the Office of Senior Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) is aimed at enhancing productivity, creating jobs, and increasing the income of several families.
In a statement by the office of the lawmaker on Thursday, he disclosed that the empowerment programme is among a series of interventions targeted at improving the livelihoods of his constituents whom he represents in the Green Chambers.
The empowerment programme which is part of the ongoing effort aimed at improving the livelihoods of his constituents, especially women and girls included the distribution of grinding machines to 1,144 market women.
The statement affirmed that the decision to distribute the grinding machines to the constituents was informed by the role the women play in the socioeconomic development of the Constituency as a pillar of support to their families, the community, and the constituency.
“Kayode Akiolu will continue to prioritise the well-being and welfare of women and girls who are key actors in the economy, providing the much needed support to families and the community as mothers, care givers and business owners.
“Advancing women’s participation in the economy remains vital to the economic growth of any nation.
“He continues to empower women in small businesses in Lagos Island II Federal Constituency through various interventions that provide opportunities to his constituents to enable them to improve household incomes,” the statement read.
The gesture is among a series of empowerment programmes and interventions by Akiolu, to demonstrate his commitment towards the welfare and well being of his constituents, providing the duty of care as well as effective and quality representatives for the good people of Lagos Island II Federal Constituency.
Akiolu, the member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Lagos Island Federal Constituency II, commended the OSSAPSDGs for the collaboration, which he described as timely and impactful in providing succor to the women-owned small businesses in Lagos Island II Constituency.
While extending huge appreciation to President Bola Tinubu’s administration for extending the SDGs intervention to his constituency, noting that the gesture underscores the Federal Government’s to expand opportunities for women’s economic empowerment sustainably.
Akiolu also canvassed for increased collaboration between the legislature as a vital link between the federal government and the constituency and added that the SDGs targeted initiatives to be strengthened towards the actualization of the 2030 Agenda.
Akiolu noted that access to economic opportunities for women engaged in the informal sector of the economy has the potential to result in improved livelihoods for the good people of Lagos Island II, especially women and children, who are the supporting pillars of their families, helping them to navigate through the economic challenges.
“Empowering the hardworking women and mothers of Lagos Island II who are engaged in small businesses is vital for the overall growth and economic development of Lagos Island, the state, and the nation.”
“These hardworking women who are contributing immensely to the economic development of Lagos Island, Lagos state, and the country, require huge support and encouragement by the government at all levels, hence this initiative facilitated by my office as their representative,” he said.
This initiative is to acknowledge their contribution to the growth of the informal sector in Lagos Island II, my dear constituency in a profound way.
The Office of Presidential Adviser on SDGs is the coordinate agency for the implementation of the United Nations SDGs Agenda 2030, seeking to actualise the UN General Assembly targeted development to eradicate poverty, increase access to economic participation by women and girls, close gender gap in access to resources, water, health and sanitation, climate justice among others.
“As you are aware women in small businesses play an enormous role in driving economic development and inclusive growth. Therefore, it is a win-win to provide incentives and support to our great women and mothers to encourage them to continue to play this lead role of advancing the goal of family, community, constituency, and state.”
The empowerment event, which was held on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Lagos Island, Lagos, was attended by women groups, market associations, traditional leaders, political leaders, and youth groups in the constituency.
The APC lawmaker has organised a series of empowerment programmes in the past targeted at various segments in his constituency including women, youths, children, educational institutions, health centers, and small businesses among others.
As these women-owned businesses thrive, they contribute to local economic growth, reduce poverty, and promote sustainable development within the constituency. Overall, Akiolu’s efforts are pivotal in transforming the economic landscape for women and their communities.
