The Louis Awode Foundation (LAF) has distributed food items to female staff of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) as part of efforts to support women in essential but physically demanding public service roles.
The outreach, held recently, was tagged ‘Touching Lives 1.0’ and targeted female sanitation workers whose work underpins environmental hygiene and public health in Lagos.
Speaking during the distribution, Louis Awode, founder of the foundation, said the initiative was designed to recognise and support women whose contributions to urban sanitation are often overlooked.
“These women rise before most of the city awakens, working tirelessly to clear dirt and debris to ensure a cleaner, safer and more liveable city,” Awode said. “Despite the significance of their work, they often receive wages that do not fully reflect their contributions.”
He said female LAWMA workers were selected as beneficiaries because of their critical role in maintaining environmental hygiene in Nigeria’s commercial capital, adding that the outreach aligns with the foundation’s broader mission to empower women and improve the welfare of workers in essential public services.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the gesture, noting that beyond the immediate relief provided by the food items, the initiative made them feel seen and valued.
One beneficiary, who has worked with LAWMA for 16 years, said she joined the agency after relocating to Lagos in search of livelihood opportunities.
“When I came from the village, there was nothing to do and nowhere to turn to. I was referred to LAWMA while searching for a job, and that opportunity helped me survive,” she said.
Another beneficiary, who goes simply as Titilayo, described the outreach as timely and meaningful, noting that sanitation workers often operate behind the scenes despite the importance of their work to the city.
“I really appreciate the foundation for providing these items. It shows that our efforts are recognised,” she said.
LAWMA workers face significant occupational challenges, including exposure to health risks associated with waste handling, long working hours, physical strain and irregular income.
Many operate without formal contracts or comprehensive welfare benefits, increasing their vulnerability.
Awode said the foundation’s intervention was also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 11, which focus on poverty reduction and sustainable cities.
“By giving back to these unsung heroes, we seek to honour their dedication, restore dignity to their work and reaffirm our belief that every contribution to society deserves recognition,” he said.
Established in 2025, the Louis Awode Foundation focuses on education, community development, empowerment and global impact.
Its programmes include scholarships, mentorship, digital literacy and vocational training for underserved communities, with a particular focus on youth, women and persons with disabilities.
Taiwo Abdulai, a volunteer and marketing lead for the foundation, said participating in the outreach underscored the power of empathy and community support.
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries was deeply moving. It was a reminder that simple acts of kindness can restore hope and affirm people’s worth,” she said.
The foundation said it plans to expand future editions of the initiative to reach more workers across Lagos.
