WAPA TRAINS PRINCIPALS OF SKILLS ACQUISITION CENTRES

In a bid to efficiently improve the services of its 20 Skills Acquisition Centres (SACs) in the five divisions of the State, the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has organised a one-day capacity-building workshop for Principals of SACs in Lagos State. 

While welcoming participants to the programme, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo, stated that the aim of the workshop held at the Conference Room of the Ministry was to train the Principals on Management Accounting, Audit and Procurement Procedures to ease framework agreements and tendering processes for acquiring goods, works and services for their centres.

She explained that the training would revise Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), an out-of-school manual and curriculum, which is designed to encourage SAC students’ learning on the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality, based on scientific evidence.

While maintaining that the workshop would enable a seamless transition of the SACs in its drive for women empowerment, Kalesanwo expressed appreciation to the participants for their efforts in line with the vision of Mr. Governor’s T.H.E.M.E.S PLUS agenda which focuses on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in the State so that women and other vulnerable persons are recognised and catered for.

In his paper presentation, the Director, Accounts Department (WAPA). Mrs. Olarenwaju Lawal, identified some of the challenges encountered by the SAC Principals in assets and inventory management, saying “As Principals, it is imperative to understand the importance of a properly run SAC to efficiently cater for needs of students who are eager to learn and become contributors towards socio-economic growth of Lagos State’’.

Also speaking, Mrs. Anoko Adeshiyan, Assistant Director, Administration and Human Resources, in the Skills Acquisition Development Unit (SADU), explained that comprehensive sexuality education aims to engage young persons and improve their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the State.

“The concept of the CSE aims to ensure that our graduates from SACs imbibed the required skills for setting smarter goals, achieving their potential and making quality decisions, irrespective of prevailing challenges”, she said.

Anoko explained that the initiative would help in the reduction of violence and crime, including Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, as well as substance and alcohol abuse, even as it ensures that Lagos State fulfils its leadership roles as a change agent in securing the health and safety of future generations of Nigeria, for sustainable development.

The Principal, Skills Acquisition Centre, Eredo-Epe, Mrs. Mojisola Anike Osho, applauded WAPA for its commitment towards the welfare of Women and implored her fellow Principals to implement proper book-keeping skills, as well as adopt the revised comprehensive sexuality education training for conscientious service delivery