TheCable

Mohammed Isa, senior special assistant to the president on special needs and equal opportunities, has facilitated the empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWDs) through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

On Friday, SMEDAN gave startup kits to entrepreneurs under the national business skills development initiative (NBSDI) of the agency.

Fifty-five persons, including five PWDs trained, awarded certificates and given start-up kits in the nation’scapital, Abuja.

In a statement on Sunday, Lanre Oloyede, media aide to Isa, said the special assistant ensured the five PWDs were selected in accordance with the national disability law in the national business skills development initiative (NBSDI) recently launched by SMEDAN.

The media aide gave the name of the PWD participants as Anyanwu Perpetua Ada, Grace Dalla, Ashiru Abdullah, Jane Oke and Adero Umar.

He said some of participants received industrial sewing machines after being trained in fashion designing and while others received mixers, gas cylinders and an industrial oven each.

The participants, who trained in leather works, were also equipped with the necessary machines for their business.

Isa vowed to continue to seize every opportunity available in both government ministries, departments and agencies and private initiatives to support the PWDs.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his vision for disability inclusion, while praising his commitment to fostering an environment where all citizens, including those with disabilities, can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic development in line with his renewed hope agenda.

Adero Umar, one of the awardees, thanked SMEDAN and the government for the opportunity provided for them to be part of the training.

“I am happy for this opportunity and the materials in leather works, which I have received today,” Umar said.

“I will not roam the streets begging because I have acquired a skill and will be able not only to start my own shoe business but employ people like me to join me in my business.”