By Benjamin Omoike, Lagos

About 50 Lagos residents on Tuesday benefited from a poverty alleviation programme, designed to lift many vulnerable residents out of poverty.

Presenting the cheques to the first batch of 50 beneficiaries of the programme, organised by the Lagos State Office of Civic Engagement in Lagos, the state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said poverty remains one of world‘s most  important challenges, stressing that his administration is determined to implement programmes that would engender economic growth and create more employment in the state.

In her address, the Special Adviser, Office of Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, said the Governor, had, through the Office of Civic Engagement, completed the disbursement of financial assistance to 2,000 Lagosians under the “Eko Cares” initiative with the theme: “Go Forward – Grow Lagos.”

According to her, with the funds provided under this scheme, beneficiaries were exposed to business and investment opportunities requiring minimal start-up capital.

Adebowale said, ‘’I am therefore delighted to welcome Mr. Governor, members of the State Executive Council and all dignitaries present here, to yet another life impacting initiative, “Sanwo-Olu Listen”, a social welfare programme designed to provide financial assistance to vulnerable citizens in Lagos State.

‘’Sanwo-Olu Listens is borne out of the continuous aspirations of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Administration to support struggling individuals in the State, as clearly stated during Mr. Governor’s electioneering campaign.

‘’It is an understatement that a lot of people need financial assistance to solve a mirage of challenges ranging from chronic ailments, accidents, diverse degrees of disasters, to loss of jobs, businesses and livelihoods occasioned by the prevalence of COVID-19 pandemic which has ravaged the world.’’

The situation the Adebowale said has prompted the present administration to initiate practical and progressive solutions towards providing succour to vulnerable Lagosians.

‘’As a listening Governor that cares for the citizenry, Mr. Governor has risen to the occasion by assisting the needy in the State, hence our gathering here today.

‘’Permit me to inform you that over the months, the Office of Civic Engagement screened and shortlisted walk-in applications and nominations received from various platforms in the public domain with beneficiaries emerging according to the degree and nature of their various financial challenges.

‘’The process of selecting the beneficiaries for the financial support was transparent and rigorous. An Intra-Ministerial Screening Committee was set up in the Office of Civic Engagement to facilitate the selection process. In addition, the Office has equally put in place a monitoring team that would monitor the beneficiaries so as to ensure that whatever assistance received today is utilised appropriately.

‘’However, it is imperative to note that execution of this programme would not have been possible but for the approval and release of funds by our magnanimous and compassionate Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

‘’Your kind gesture, without any iota of doubt, will get a good number if citizens on their feet again, uplifting them socio-economically, and thus enhancing security, safety of lives and property and peaceful communal co-existence in the state,‘’ she said.