Benin City – A Non-Governmental Orgaization (NGO), Lift Above Poverty Organizatio (LAPO) will today October 30, 2008 hold its 15th Annual Development Forum, at the Ofure Hilton Hotels, Off Dawson Road, at 10 am.

The theme of this year’s event is: “Ensuring Household Food Security: The Way Forward In Nigeria.

The Forum would be an avenue for persons involved in varied spheres of life to present and exchange ideas, discuss issues and outline practical options for enhanced performance of development organizations and programmes.

The event, which is expected to draw stakeholders from government and the civil society, including Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Mrs. Uwa Osunbor, Special Adviser to the State Governor on Farm Development and a host of other dignitaries will be chaired by the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture, Barrister Ken Ihensekhien. Dr J. Oyede, the HOD of Agric Department, Benson Idahosa University will deliver the keynote address at the occasion.

Amongst LAPO’ major activities are the promotion of income-generating activities through micro finance, women empowerment through skills development and assets acquisition and awareness creation on socio-economic, political health issues.

Initiated in 1987, LAPO was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1993. It promotes investigations into the nature of poverty, causes and effects, besides assisting its members in the enhancement of their socio-economic status.