LAPO mentors 700 entrepreneurs on micro-business, financial literacy

CEO of Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), Godwin Ehigiamusoe, weekend, said the organisation had trained 700 entrepreneurs across the country on micro-business and financial literacy programmes.

Ehigiamusoe, who made the disclosure at the 7th LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award ceremony held in Benin City, said women constituted 98 percent of the entrepreneurs.

The LAPO boss, represented by Moses Ehigiamusoe, a director in the establishment, also said a total of 1,306,845 community members, majorly women were empowered under its social and health empowerment programmes across the country in 2018.

According to Ehigiamusoe, the organisation is fully committed to addressing the marginalisation of women, and has for decades been at the forefront of the struggle to promote legal and policy reforms and supporting projects that empower women socially and economically.

He said this year’s award ceremony was geared towards celebrating the International Women’s Day with the theme, “Balance for Better”.

He however said over 46,070,635 million persons benefited from the LAPO Community Campaign for Cancer Control (LAPO-C4) project between November 2017 and 2018.

He explained that the LAPO-C4 was designed to assist community members to detect cancer ailments early for uptake of preventive treatment.

Earlier, Osarenren Emokpae, chairman, board of directors, LAPO, said a total of 21 women, since 2013 had been honoured by the organisation.

“The LAPO outstanding women leadership award was initiated in 2013 as a platform to honour and celebrate women who have distinguished themselves in their careers and business organisations with sustainable social impact.

“We are happy to inform you that since the inception of the award 18 women have been honoured. The 2019 edition holding today will bring the total number to 21,” he said.

The awardees of the 2019 edition are Christiana Ehimen Okojie, a professor of Economic in the University of Benin, for professional category, Oserhebhen Sarah for business category, and Eucharia Asikaralu Okafor for public life.