More than 60 residents of Ikotun/Igando Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State have received practical vocational training through an initiative aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing poverty among vulnerable families. The programme, organized by the Centre for the Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS–VP), focused on equipping participants with income-generating skills to enhance their economic independence.
The five-day training, held at the Ikotun/Igando LCDA Hall, covered a range of practical skills including bag making, make-up artistry, gele-tying, pedicure and manicure, as well as sack farming and bag gardening. The initiative was supported by the Freedom Fund, with funding from the United States Department of State, reflecting a broader effort to address economic vulnerability and social challenges within communities.
Speaking at the event, the programme manager of CAPRIGHTS–VP, Mrs. Ngozi Marian Arinze, explained that the training forms part of an ongoing project aimed at protecting vulnerable children from exploitative labour, particularly child domestic work. She noted that the organisation is currently implementing a project titled “Protect Child Domestic Workers from Maltreatment,” which focuses on raising awareness about the risks associated with exploitative child labour while empowering families that may otherwise resort to such practices.
According to her, the initiative addresses the root causes of child domestic labour by strengthening the economic capacity of households. She highlighted that the organisation had previously implemented a social protection scheme that linked over 80 beneficiaries to various government and non-government support programmes, helping to improve their living conditions. The current training, she added, is part of a livelihood mentoring effort designed to ensure that participants can build sustainable income sources.
Arinze further explained that the skills selected for the training were intentionally chosen for their accessibility and quick income potential. The goal is to enable beneficiaries to begin earning immediately after completing the programme, without requiring prolonged additional training. She encouraged participants to apply what they had learned and assured them that follow-up monitoring and evaluation would track their progress and success.
She also emphasized the importance of preventing child domestic labour, stating that no child should be forced into such work due to financial hardship. By empowering parents and guardians—especially women, widows, widowers, and single mothers—the initiative aims to reduce the pressures that lead families to send children into domestic service.
Facilitators involved in the training highlighted the enthusiasm and potential of participants. One of the trainers, Nnenna Okezie, who handled the bag-making sessions, trained about 25 participants in producing souvenir and lunch bags. She encouraged them to remain committed and consistent, noting that persistence is key to mastering any new skill.
Similarly, Temitayo Adejumobi, who facilitated sessions on make-up artistry and gele-tying, worked with over 30 participants and expressed confidence in their ability to succeed in the beauty industry. Drawing from her own experience, she advised trainees to actively promote their services at social events such as weddings and gatherings, where they can gradually build a client base and generate income.
Beneficiaries of the programme expressed appreciation for the opportunity, describing it as transformative. One participant, Maureen Douglas, said the training had equipped them with valuable skills that could help them achieve financial independence and better support their families. She noted that many participants are determined to put their new knowledge into practice and improve their economic situations.
Overall, the initiative demonstrates how targeted skills training can empower vulnerable communities, create sustainable livelihoods, and address deeper social issues such as child labour by tackling their root economic causes.
