#LAPOBaby in Context
By Oluremi Akande
The now viral “NEPObaby vs LAPObaby*” conversation on X has provoked intense debates that cast a reflection on the people’s perception of societal dichotomy of egalitarianism versus elitism.
Although, the acronym Limited Access to Privileges & Opportunities (LAPO*) was a play on word, I wish to provide clarity. Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO), is a foremost pro-poor institution in Africa.
Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) was founded in the early 1980’s by Dr Godwin Ehigiamusoe, FCIB, a foremost social entrepreneur in Africa.
LAPO is designed with a mission to provide social and economic empowerment for people at the bottom of the pyramid by tackling heads-on the challenges of deeply rooted systemic and structural inequalities and poverty which have tethered Nigeria’s march to economic development.
According to Dr Godwin “The poor are not necessarily lazy; they only need access to opportunities” This is the nexus of LAPO’s deeply rooted and long–standing relationship with the parents of LAPObabies mostly from financially excluded, materially and socially deprived backgrounds. One of the LAPO babies is Agwu Good luck who enjoyed full university scholarship by virtue of his mother’s business relationship with our bank. Today, he is a loyal client years after his mother’s demise.
LAPO has since evolved into mutually re-enforcing institutions with focus on: Financial Services, Healthcare Services, Micro-insurance, Education and Social Services.
LAPO Microfinance Bank has disbursed over N1.7 Trillion in micro credits to members of low-income families and owners of MSMEs with over 60% being female beneficiaries. The microfimance bank has empower over 6,000 youths and children with scholarships and vocational skills. Beyond credit, provides gainful employment to over 7,000 Nigerian youths delivering financial services to the last-mile across our network of over 500 branches in 34 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Provides social interventions such as healthcare services and awareness, legal aids for women and gender-forward advocacy.
The new #Oxfam report titled ‘Africa’s Inequality Crisis and the Rise of the Super Rich”, reveals the growing inequalities and poverty on the continent. Beyond the report, visionary institution such as LAPO has made the audacious move 30 years ago to continue to tackle poverty in Nigeria and by extension Africa!
LAPO remains committed to its over 30 years mandate of the social and economic empowerment of members of low-income households and owners of micro small and medium enterprises. LAPO shall continue to partner with governments and private institutions to reduce the scourge of poverty. I use this opportunity to call for greater participation by state and non-state actors to make concerted efforts at policy advocacy, influencing progressive economic reforms and sustainable social interventions to frontally address the economic inequalities in our society for the greater good!
Agwu is one of our many #LAPObabies.
www.lapo-nigeria.org
#LAPObaby #whenlifegivesyoulemonlapomakesyoulemonades #improvinglives
Oluremi Akande is the Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications at LAPO MFB
