Lady Mechanic Initiative marks 10-year of empowering women

The Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI), a non-governmental organisation established over a decade ago to empower vulnerable girls and women training programme to this group  with mechanical and automobile skills to enable them become competent and qualified professionals in the field of automotive repairs.

The free training program liberates and empowers these trainees who are afflicted by poverty, victims of human trafficking and forced labour, repentant prostitutes, widows, and those stigmatized by cultural biases and gender discriminations.

The Initiative will tomorrow at Federal Palace Hotels & Casino, Victoria Island.

A statement made available to BusinessDay reveal that the event will have in attendance, President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR) who will be awarded the LMI Women Empowerment Leader Award. The executive director and founder of the LMI, Sandra Aguebor (NPOM) said  that the forthcoming event is a platform to appreciate and celebrate those who have contributed to the training.

In the last ten years, the LMI has shown that women, like their male counterparts, have a lot to contribute to national development, economic growth, positive change and a peaceful society.

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Through the philanthropic efforts of donor agencies, local and international foundations, multinational organizations, and the selfless support of volunteers from Nigeria and around the world, LMI has been able to train a total of 700 Lady Mechanics in the last 10years.

Many of our graduates now operate their own garages across the country, and in turn, recruit and train new lady mechanics. Others are working with world-class companies such as Toyota Nigeria, Mercedes-Benz, Coscharis Motors, RT Briscoe, TATA Motors, MTN, and Coca-Cola.

Sandra Aguebor will also launch the Association of Lady Automobile Technicians of Nigeria (ALAT) during the event. The LMI  called on government to  embrace the initiate to boost the growth of the programme.

Reviewing progress of the programme in the past, Sandra Aguebor said, challenges such as discrimination, intimidation from the society, almost hindered her, but got inspired by her Father who encouraged her morally to move ahead.

Also expected at the event are Patience Jonathan, first lady of Nigeria and the grand patron of Lady Mechanic Initiative. Babatunde Raji Fashola, governor of Lagos State and other governors from Ogun, Kano, Edo State respectively with other ministers.

Anthony Nlebem