Ekiti State Government took a significant step towards social inclusion on Saturday, with the graduation and empowerment of 40 vocationally trained people with disabilities.
The Office of Disability Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, led by Mrs. Adetoun Agboola, hosted the event at the Ekiti State Skills Acquisition Center for Persons with Disabilities in Ilokun, Ado Ekiti. This initiative, driven by Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s unwavering dedication, aims to uplift people living with disabilities (PWDs) by providing them with the skills necessary to become self-reliant and active contributors to the state’s economy.
The program aimed to equip PWDs with the skills needed to become self-reliant, compete favorably with their peers, and contribute to the state’s economic development. The Ekiti State Women’s Center trains three sets of beneficiaries per year, offering intensive training in various vocations such as fashion designing, shoemaking, ICT, hairdressing, catering, and decorations, followed by a mandatory four-month Industrial Training (IT) to provide real-life experience and interaction with the larger society.
Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to the PWDs is evident in his continuous investment in the sector, which included renovations and construction of infrastructure in government special schools, recruitment of teachers, caregivers, and professional therapists, and the establishment of a new children therapy center in Ado Ekiti. The governor’s passion was also demonstrated through his annual birthday celebrations with the PWDs, attracting significant donations of cash and food items.
The graduates in separate interviews with jiroltv expressed their gratitude to the governor for his genuine display of love and support. They were provided with empowerment kits to help them start their own businesses and become self-reliant.
Mr.Ife Abejide a physically impaired explained that his hope for a better life was rekindled when he got employment as a senior executive officer ministry of education after 10 years with a Masters degree maintained that the governor did not stop there but equipped him more for the job with the training and now the laptop for efficiency.Mrs.Ruth Fashoranti a caterer empowered with catering equipment and Miss Adeola Testimony Blessing a hair dresser who also got prerequisite equipment said the governor truely meant well for them describing the governor as God sent.
These kits included sewing machines, laptops, generating sets, shoe-making accessories, gas cookers, catering items, hair dryers, and other equipment.
The program’s success was reflected in the progression from four trade centers last year to five this year, with 30 graduates last year and 40 this year.
Commissioner for Women affairs and social development Mrs Peju Babafemi in her remarks noted that Ekiti state is leading the way in the country regarding the welfare of people with disabilities PWDs courtesy the state Governor Mr Biodun Oyebanji.She assured continuous collaboration with the office of social inclusion and disabilities.
The special adviser special education and social inclusion Mrs Adetoun Agboola in her remarks noted that the state has never had it good in caring for people with disabilities until now with governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji who is so passionate about the welfare of PWDs,she urged the graduands to take advantage of the training by properly utilizing the work kits and shun any negative comments about the governor rather be ambassadors of the governor and his various initiatives to better their lives.
Assuring graduands of the governor’s commitment not to relent in efforts announced their inclusion in the January empowerment where they will be given cash grants to further improve their business.
On his own, the Chairman Ado Central LCDA Engr.Toyin Ojo who described Governor Oyebanji as a special breed said his passion for the well-being of people with disabilities has spurred him to tow the path and promised to replicate the Governor’s gesture in his jurisdiction.
This was corroborated by the other guests in attendance including senior special Assistants and members of the office of disabilities board.
Earlier, Mr. Akinlabi Adeyemi, the director of the Skills Acquisition Center, praised the governor for building lasting institutions rather than relying on palliatives. He highlighted the rigorous selection process and the comprehensive support provided to the trainees.
He noted that the graduating trainees were carefully selected from the 16 local government areas and 37 LCDAs through an online application process.Their journey began with fundamental soft skills training, followed by the rigorous vocational training of their choice.Notehworthy is the fact that during this time, government provided essential support including feeting and transport allowances as well as accomodations for some trainers at the center.Aside giving them entrepreneural kits they would also be issued trade test certificates so that they can apply for government job and other things.
The graduates pledged to make proper use of the empowerment kits and prayed for the success of the administration.
As a show of appreciation the graduands presented the Governor with a roll up banner of his portrait.
Governor Oyebanji’s efforts have not only empowered individuals but also set a benchmark for social inclusion and development in Ekiti State.
