Women to sell tools govt. gave to them

A former Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, says many women trained by the Lagos State Government resort to selling their empowerment kits because they are given tools different from their training.

She, therefore, called on such women to visit any of the 17 skill acquisition centres in the state for re-training at no cost to them.

Nelson spoke on Monday at an empowerment programme organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for vulnerable women.More than 300 women from the 57 local government areas in the state were presented with sewing and pepper grinding machines, among others.

Nelson said, “I know that Lagos State has many skill acquisition centres and that graduates of the centres are empowered with kits and some token. But if you train a woman as a florist, you must equip the woman with necessary kits.  A lot of them have been accused of selling their kits. It is true. If I am not trained to be a hair dresser and you give me a kit for hair dresser, I will sell it.’’

The Commissioner, WAPA, Mrs. Lola Akande, said the initiative was designed to raise the standard of living of residents in the state.

“The ministry, through its short and long term vocational training programmes, has continued to train thousands of Lagosians, particularly women, on different skills. The beneficiaries of the training are provided with enablement materials,’’ she said.