As part of activities to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), an initiative of the Lagos State Government established to provide financial support to residents of Lagos State, for job and wealth creation and to tackle unemployment; will hold an event to commemorate International Women’s Day which takes place on March 8 every year.

In line with the IWD 2018 theme PressforProgress, the LSETF event is themed; ‘Walking The Talk; Moving Female Entrepreneurs Forward’. The event will bring together female beneficiaries of the LSETF loam programme from across different sectors to participate in a knowledge sharing session. Seasoned experts from various fields will give practical, informative and relevant pointers on how these female beneficiaries can grow their businesses using sustainable business practices.

There will be a keynote speech by Mrs. Tomi Rotimi, CEO Xclamations who has built an indigenous fashion business over the last 15years. There will also be a panel discussion with Ms. Chinasa Unaegbunam, Managing Partner, Streamsowers & Köhn; Ms Tale Alimi, CEO, Tale Alimi Global; Ms. Temiloluwa Olowu Associate, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie and Ms. Efeturi Doghudje Head, Communications & Stakeholder Management, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund participating.

Speaking on the initiative, Director, Programs, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Teju Abisoye, reiterated LSETF’s commitment to empower female entrepreneurs with both the funding and skills they need to grow their businesses and employ more people. According to Ms. Abisoye, “women make up 41% of our SME loan portfolio”. This is in line with its commitment to ensure 60% of the loan beneficiaries are women and 50% of the

beneficiaries of its employability programme and at least 30% of the beneficiaries of the Lagos Innovates program are women.

The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund ‘LSETF’ was established by The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Law 2016 as an instrument to inspire the creative and innovative energies of all Lagos residents and reduce unemployment across the State.