PWDs Celebrity of the Week 001: I Want To Inspire The Disability Community, Says Multi-Talented Amputee, Aver Akighir

Aver Akighir, a young graduate and creative entrepreneur is a young lady with many feathers to her cap.

She is one of many Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) changing the narrative and perspective many people hold about physically challenged people.

An unfortunate accident many years back meant she had to be amputated, but this Bachelor of Arts Degree holder in English from the prestigious Benue State University, Makurdi did not let her situation deter her from achieving her dreams.

Akighir is not only a footballer but currently the captain of amputee Football Federation of Nigeria, a board member of Amputees Collation of Nigeria, founder of Benue Diva’s hangout (a meetings of young girls with disability) and a founder of Questaid foundation.

But that is not all about this serial entrepreneur. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of Aver’s cake’s and pastries, a hairstylist, motivational speaker and above all a renowned disability rights advocate who anchors Possibilities TV Show, a disability oriented TV program she created.

Her exploits has also seen her travel far and near to attend several workshops.

But despite all these feats, she is not losing focus on her tall dream.

According to her, her goal of venturing into business in 2014 was to change the perception that people with disability are dependent on their family and community

“The main aim of creating a business is display my abilities in disability and do away with the wrong perceptions the society has for disability, I feel, I can build something from scratch.

“When you are on your own, you feel a sense of satisfaction when you accomplish something. Secondly I wanted to set a good example and inspire other persons with disabilities to chase and accomplish their dream

“Lastly, I wanted freedom, I want to build a source of pride for disability community, I wants to show the society that I can Do Things Better, I can Make Money, I wanted to create Jobs and most importantly follow my passion,” she said.

But venturing into business as a woman with disability has come with its own challenges.

“Being a woman with disability has affected me and my business both positively and negatively the effects which includes: defying social expectations, accessing funding, struggling to be taken seriously, balancing business and family life and coping with fear of failure,” she said.

With the world also battling to contain the novel Covid-19 pandemic, Akighir has had her own fair share of the negative effects.

Aver’s Cakes and Pastries, a small scale business which she runs from home has witnessed a decline in recent times, but she says it has also been a blessing in disguise as she is increasing her capacity to Wade through troubled waters.

“My business is practically operated from home yet the lockdown and restrictions limited going out to get materials needed to carry out my baking processes and there’s little or no other coming in, the price of baking materials has also increased drastically, the impact was really mental draining at some point.

“The truth is, this pandemic took me by surprise. It has left me in a great deal of uncertainty, and a high risk to becoming unproductive. However, it has also pushed me to find innovative ways to sustain my relations with the customers, remain productive at most, and maintain my revenue streams.

“During this crisis, there are three main things I did differently in which I remain productive and sustain my business; constantly updating my social media page, maintain productivity by improving my baking skills and learning from other entrepreneurs. These have been very worthwhile.”

For Akighir, the importance of women and girls with disabilities learning skills especially entrepreneur skills cannot be overemphasized.

According to her, creating independence, contributing to the society, living health lives, creating financial and food security, chasing and accomplishing their dreams and raising responsible family and keeping healthy relationships must not be compromised

Concluding, she urged young girls with disability who are into business to be assertive about what they need and what they don’t.

“First of all understand your abilities and identify your passion. The entrepreneur field is not an easy one but the price is breathtaking. There is immense ability in disability and disability is not a limitation of one’s ability.”