The Civics Engagement Office of the Lagos State Government has begun implementing the second phase of its Social Intervention Initiative.
Speaking on the scheme, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, the Special Adviser on Civics Engagement to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the initiative would benefit another 2,000 citizens, as it did in its first edition.
The participants, drawn across the state’s Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas, received start-up soft drink packs from Pepsi and Bigi Cola drinks worth N10,000 to begin trading on.
Under the empowerment scheme, producers of Fast Consumer Moving Goods, (FCMG), who will sell their products directly to beneficiaries at factory-designated prices.
Adebowale stated that buying the products at reduced prices offers “participants a competitive edge and will enable them make some profits.” In addition, Adebowale said there are participants who manage their initial capital effectively would get further financial and business assists.
“The Office of Civic Engagement will continue to monitor and engage individually and collectively to ensure that you are growing in your business,” Adebowale informed participants at the presentation ceremony held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, on Wednesday.
In her view, Lola Akande, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, said the initiative is part of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s social inclusion programme.
“This is one of the dynamic ways the Lagos State Government, through the Office of Civic Engagement is collaborating with the Organised Private Sector in achieving one element of its THEMES agenda of Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy,” said Akande, who was guest of honour at the ceremony.
Tijani Babatunde, a representative for Bigi Cola Drink, one of the partnering FCMGs producers at the event, said the packs lauded the economic empowerment initiative
“This is a way of creating empowerment and opportunities to turn your business around. Any of them who successfully enhance the initial N10,000 worth of goods will be further assisted and, by so doing, we are creating wealth.”
Moreover, participants also received training in Book Keeping and Customer Service strategies needed to manage and grow their businesses.
Launched in 2019, the initiative, tagged “Eko Cares,” caters to indigent and vulnerable citizens in the state.
