The Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) has empowered a group of petty traders with cash to enable them trade and manage their businesses and cushion the prevailing economic situation in the country.

The beneficiaries of the maiden edition of CEPEJ Empowerment programme are Emily Nbezuo, a widow and a petty trader who sells roasted yam, plantain and potatoes by the road side at Ajao Estate; Mrs. Muyibat Odejobi, a petty trader, widow with three children who sells tomatoes and pepper at Mafoluku, Oshodi; and Sani Lawa, a male with four children who deals mainly in amendment of clothes at Agboju market.

The cash disbursement was done at Lagos State office of CEPEJ with a representative of Lagos State Government from the Oshodi/Isolo LGA, Mr. Ganiu Mejindade and the CEO of Out of School Children Empowerment Foundation Mr. Kelani Akeem Tolu, in attendance.

They applauded CEPEJ for a job well done and promised to partner with the organisation in future program/initiatives.

The beneficiaries thanked CEPEJ for remembering them and promised to make good use of the cash gifts.

The National Coordinator of the Center, Comrade Amb. Mulade Sheriff, who was represented by the Communications and Advocacy Manager, Mrs Victoria Ajayi, while speaking to journalists commended the government on the positive changes so far in Lagos but still charged them to partner with the organisation so that the number of beneficiaries reached would be spread more than achieved.