By Adedayo Adeleye
The Ekiti State Government has reiterated its determination to assist the physically challenged in the State to be self-sufficient by exposing them to training and skills’ acquisition as well as financial empowerment.
Speaking while presenting cash gifts to fifteen virtually impaired persons who recently graduated from the Nigeria Farmcraft Centre for the Blind in Lagos, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade explained that the financial empowerment was to guarantee proper resettlement of the beneficiaries.
Alhaja Ogunlade highlighted the importance of training and resettlement grants for persons living with disabilities to include empowering them for sustainability, raising their standard of living, significant reduction in street-begging and immerse contribution to socio-economic development of the State.
She said that forty-seven virtually impaired persons had so far been rehabilitated by the Fayemi led administration under the same training and rehabilitation project, adding that the beneficiaries now live in relative comfort devoid of begging.
Ogunlade assured that the Fayemi administration would continue to make the welfare of the physically challenged a priority and would not be deterred by the prevailing global economic downturn, dwindling allocation from the federation account and the attendant paucity of funds in the State.
She advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the largess, stressing the need to invest the money sensibly in their own interest.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Office of the Disabilities Affairs, Mrs. Olabisi Fatoba said that people interested in learning vocation no longer have to go to Lagos to do so since the State Government had established a well-equipped Women and Youth Acquisition Centre for Persons with Disability around Ilokun in Ado Ekiti.
Mrs. Fatoba stressed that her office would leave no stone unturned at ensuring the general wellbeing of people with disabilities in the State as mandated by the State Government.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Oladapo Sowande who expressed gratitude to Governor Fayemi for efforts to make their lives better, pledged to judiciously utilize the money.
He also prayed for the continued success of the administration.
