Glo Foundation celebrates Lagos cleaners, offers gifts, empowerment schemes    

Telecommunications giant, Globacom, through its social responsibility arm, Glo Foundation, on Saturday organized a special day in celebration of the staff of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) who keep the nooks and crannies of Lagos State clean every day.

The Foundation also disclosed that empowerment and skills acquisition programmes had been planned for the sweepers to enable them to gain knowledge that would help them have extra sources of income. These skills include Fashion designing, vocational skills, online marketing, social media management and e-commerce.

Head of Glo Foundation, Jumobi Mofe-Damijo, explained that the Foundation decided to honour the cleaners with a Rest and Relaxation event to express gratitude to them for the onerous work they do daily, event at great danger to their lives. She added that the efforts of Glo Foundation on this task would also extend to other states across the country.

“We recognize the important and thankless jobs that you do all over the state in ensuring that our roads and streets are clean every day. We recognize the hazards you face from drivers who don’t appreciate you and are at times impatient while you are by the roadside sweeping. It is the reason why we are here today to let you know how much we value you and your huge contributions to keeping Lagos clean on a continuous basis,” she stated.

The event was held at the Ijora Olopa Lagos office of the agency where hundreds of the sweepers drawn from all the local governments and LCDAs across the state were in attendance. The excited sweepers who most often do not attract the attention of people in spite of their difficult duties, became the cynosure of all eyes as they danced and participated in various fun activities including games and raffle draws, courtesy of Globacom.

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, gave kudos to Globacom for coming up with the idea of creating a day to appreciate the sweepers across the state, adding that the agency is happy about the collaborations which will further boost the sweepers’ morale. He noted that the sweepers contribute to the health and well-being of the citizenry while urging other corporate bodies to emulate the gesture from Globacom.

Some of the sweepers expressed gratitude to Globacom and the Management of LAWMA for the opportunity to unwind in company with their colleagues and for the fun moments created by Glo.

 Aniekwe Rejoice Ifeoma, who was born in Lagos, thanked Glo Foundation for creating the opportunity for rest and relaxation saying   working with LAWMA is an opportunity for her to improve herself and to create another stream of income to help herself. Currently training to be computer literate, Ifeoma said she spends her spare time selling Zobo and Tigernut drinks.

Another sweeper, Awolaja Esther, who resides in Ikorodu, disclosed that she has been working with LAWMA for about 15 years during which she has taken advantage of the job to set up an extra source of income in Ikorodu. She currently has two undergraduates she is training in school. She thanked Globacom for creating a day to appreciate and reward her and her colleagues.

As part of the fun and excitement created exclusively for the sweepers, Globacom also held a lucky dip to give out various items including sewing machine, Inverter Microwave oven and grinding machine to some of the sweepers.

Madam Dorcas Adeniji, a resident of Oshodi in Lagos, who won a grinding machine could hardly contain her joy as she danced after receiving the item. Mrs Adewusi Bisola, who resides in Alakuko in Agbado Oke Odo LCDA, won an Inverter Microwave oven. Her friends almost mobbed her in ecstasy when she came out to receive her prize. Ige Sadatu, who won a sewing machine, thanked Globacom for the gift she was taking home.