Two hundred farming households in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State have been trained and empowered with working tools as agricultural support to increase access to market and financial inclusion under the Building Sustainable Livelihood for Vibrant Communities, Bi-SLiC, Project.
The training carried out by the Catholic Church humanitarian arm, Caritas Nigeria with support of funding from other donor agencies, was to build capacity and empower women, men, and youths in climate smart production and vocational skills to enhance food security and livelihood in Lagos and Ekiti States
Chairman Ikorodu North LCDA, Mr Ameen Apanishile who was represented by Head of the Agriculture Department, Mr Akinodun Oluwaseyi, urged beneficaries to make productive use of the skills and support provided to them, to become self-reliant and economically productive.
The Council Boss gave the advice during the graduation of beneficiaries of the project in Maya Community, Ikorodu.
The Chief Executive Secretary and CEO of Caritas Nigeria, Reverend Father Peter Audu Babangida, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to promptly apply their training and startup kits, while encouraging them to remain committed and courageous in building their livelihoods.
In an overview by the Director of Humanitarian Services at Caritas Nigeria, Mrs. Nkese Maria Udongwo, noted that the equipment and support are meant to empower vulnerable households through sustainable livelihoods, urging beneficiaries to actively use them and maximize the opportunities for self-reliance and economic improvement.
Some beneficiaries which included Pastor Oluwayemi John Oladele, Mr Olamide Oladipupo and Napoleon Queen, expressed appreciation to Caritas Nigeria for the training and equipment received, noting that the training and empowerment, support would help them establish sustainable means of livelihood and improve their standard of living.
The intervention under the Bi-SLiC Project of Caritas Nigeria is expected to reached about 2500 beneficiaries and they pledged to put the skills and tools into immediate use in building their businesses and improving their livelihoods.
Some of the empowerment tools distributed included Oven for drying meat, fishes, cassava processing machine, fishing feeds, generators, charcoal stove, briskets and tomatoes and pepper seedlings, sprayers among others.
Reporting by Yemisi Dada