Ekiti State Government has reiterated its resolve to continue partnering public-spirited individuals and corporate organizations to improve the lot of the people in the state particularly women and children.
Speaking during the graduation and empowerment programme for the persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from the Women and Youth Skills Development Centers in Ado Ekiti, the State Commissioner for women Affairs and Social Development Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade explained that the Fashion Industry Entrepreneurship Support Programme was in partnership with Total Energy Upstream Nigeria Limited and Parties.
Alhaja Ogunlade who noted that Governor Kayode Fayemi was passionate about the welfare of PWDs, described the creation of the Office of Disability Affairs in the state as a demonstration of his unflinching love for them as well as his commitment at providing enabling environment for them to thrive and their inclusion in all government’s programs without discrimination.
She highlighted achievements recorded by the Office of Disability Affairs to include facilitating the restoration of fifty four(54) sacked PWDs back into the state public service, facilitations of the passage of the Discrimination against Persons with Disability (prohibition) law 2020, approval and disbursement of resettlement grants for the ex-trainees of Nigeria Farmcraft center for the blind at Isheri, in Lagos State as well as the appointment of senior Special Adviser on Disability Matters and Board members for the Office of Disability Affairs.
Alhaja Ogunlade therefore charged the beneficiaries to judiciously utilize the equipment and fund provided for them to make them self reliant and encouraged other PWDs to take advantage of the opportunity provided to acquire skills necessary for self-dependency and sustainability.
One of the participants, Mrs Abiodun Alaba appreciated the state government and the organizers for the empowerment, promising that they would make good use of the opportunity given them.