LASG AIMS AT FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE FOR PWDs, TRAINS THEM IN DIFFERENT VOCATIONS
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The Lagos State Government has declared its goal to empower people with disabilities and provide fair opportunities for everybody by putting in place a number of measures that would help them become financially independent.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the Entrepreneurship Training Program for People with Disabilities (PWDs) at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, stated that every citizen, regardless of ability, has the potential to achieve financial autonomy and make a significant contribution to the state’s economy.
Ajigbotafe expressed the belief that program participants will soon be able to contribute their share to the socio-economic development of Lagos State, even though he acknowledged that the training program is an affirmation of Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s efforts to ensure the inclusion of all categories of Lagosians into the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda.
The Commissioner also revealed that the unemployment rate for adults with disabilities is approximately 9% higher than the national average, highlighting the difficulties that people with disabilities face in terms of discrimination, marginalization, and mobility, particularly when going about their daily lives.
He said, “It is in the realization of these challenges that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently donated 50 wheelchairs, 170 walking sticks, 75 white canes and 69 crutches to 364 persons living with disabilities (PWDs) to aid their mobility”.
He claimed that even though the government provides support for this group of people, the private sector must work with the government immediately to develop and launch initiatives that will significantly improve the lives of those who struggle with physical or mental challenges, as well as those of Lagos residents in general.
Ajigbotafe continued that the state government decided to initiate the empowerment initiative specifically directed at persons with disabilities after realizing that financial challenges are prevalent among people with disabilities and that they have attendant effects on their mental, physical, and housing options.
In his words: “This fact led us to initiate this Entrepreneurship Training Programme that would provide sustainable means of livelihood for all participants. We intend to train participants in vocations such as Phone Repairs, Hairdressing, Makeover, Arts and Craft, Leatherworks, Shoe & Bags and Barbing, as a way of raising platforms for enhanced productivity and making it easy for all participants to set up their businesses.
“Our instinctive stance is expected to herald an empowered and motivated crop of ready-to-go persons living with disabilities, as our concerted efforts is a resolve dedicatedly supported by our compassionate Governor”.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Biodun Onayele recalled that the first edition of the Entrepreneurship Empowerment Training Programme for People with Disabilities produced about 1000 beneficiaries who were trained in different vocations and given start-up kits across three centres: Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for People with Disabilities Owutu Ikorodu, the Egbe-Idimu Local Government Secretariat, and the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria Amuwo-Odofin Centre.
He said that the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, in line with its establishing mandates, will continue to pursue any initiative aimed at drastically reducing the rate of unemployment and empowering Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
As a result, Onayele urged the beneficiaries to seize the chance presented by the training by paying close attention, as this will enable them to launch their own companies, hire employees, and support the expansion and advancement of Nigeria as a whole as well as the state.
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