In order to address these manifestations of poverty, LAPO designed products and services. Focal point is Microfinance. LAPO has the vision to be a first choice microfinance institution delivering responsible financial services while meeting the expectations of all stakeholders on a sustainable basis. LAPO wants to generate income capacity and access to flexible financial services.

Overwhelming
A visit to some of the branches of LAPO in Benin City, by this writer, was overwhelming. Large numbers of women were on queue to collect their loan. The women were positive and confident. It was a very hopeful sight. Rita Omorodion for instance: “I’m a member of LAPO. I don’t have a husband but through the help of the organization, I’m able to take care of my children. My first child is awaiting admission into a university. I thank God for the group and the founder for bringing people out of poverty. They first gave me 10,000 naira but now I’m entitled to 55,000 naira.” 10,000 naira is 58 euro.
Elizabeth Omugoro adds: “I heard of LAPO on radio and TV and I decided to join. Since then I have been given money to do business. I deal in cooking oil. The business is booming with the loan given to me. I can now send my children to school. I make sure I pay my loans. LAPO has done my business well. It has lifted me out of poverty.”

LAPO especially focuses on woman. Godwin Ehigiamusoe: “If you come across a poor man, be rest assured that he is a husband of an even more poor woman. Women in our society are the most deprived. We felt that the little resources we have should be channeled to where the effect is felt most.”

With solid management structures, which stems from the local communities, LAPO has 103 branches, 24 areas and 7 divisions which spread across eight states of the federation including Delta, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Port Harcourt, Oyo and Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). The Head Office is situated in Benin City, Edo State. It has also been given license to commence operation in Sierra Leone.

Godwin Ehigiamusoe: “I believe our focus on credit and microfinance services is very important, as much as I recognize the role of education. But I believe entrepreneurship is the most effective escalator out of poverty for poor people. It gives people self esteem and concrete means to do something. The role of entrepreneurship in development is crucial.”

“I am able to send my children to school”
LAPO’s activities over the years did not go unnoticed. It was given the Pro-Poor Innovative Challenge Award in Microfinance (2002) by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP), a microfinance support group housed in the World Bank, Washington DC. It also received Global Excellence Awards for Microfinance (2006) by Grameen Foundation, Washington DC, USA.

The LAPO beneficiaries in Benin City, all waiting in line to pick up there loans, are positive. Paul Imoni for instance: “LAPO has helped me very well. My business has grown and I’m happy. I’m able to send my children to school, I even own a car.”
Felicia Enahoro:“ I joined LAPO to support my husband and ever since, God has been faithful. My business has grown so that I’m able to take care of the children. It is a good organization. I prayed that God should bless the leaders as they are helping people out poverty.”
Maria Omoruyi: “I’m a baker and on stage 9 now which means I can collect 50,000 naira. And since I have been collecting, it’s not difficult to pay back because the business is growing. I have been able to assist my husband to run the family.”

It was Prof. Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Prize Winner and the pioneer of the microfinance revolution that said: “We do not need a Yunus in every new situation, to make poverty reduction work. Micro finance will work in any culture.” LAPO has been able to prove him right.