Former Governor of Kano State and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has called on governors across Northern Nigeria to prioritise investment in persons with disabilities (PWDs) as a strategic approach to reducing street begging in the region.
Ganduje made the appeal while speaking at a stakeholders’ event in Abuja, where he emphasised that increased investment in education, vocational training, and assistive technologies would empower persons with disabilities to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to national development. He noted that many persons living with disabilities resort to street begging due to neglect and limited access to opportunities.
According to him, providing adequate support systems would not only restore dignity to persons with disabilities but also unlock their potential to become employers of labour and professionals in various fields. He stressed that inclusive development is essential to building productive and resilient communities.
The event brought together stakeholders in disability education and social development, including government officials, experts, and students of Tudun Maliki Special School in Kano, with discussions centred on promoting inclusion and strengthening human capital development for persons with disabilities.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Bernard Doro, underscored the importance of designing policies and technologies that consider the needs of persons with disabilities from the planning stage, noting that inclusive policy frameworks are critical to sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the founder of the Let’s Talk Humanity Initiative, Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, highlighted that empowering persons with disabilities is vital for national growth, social inclusion, and poverty reduction.
Stakeholders at the forum agreed that sustained investment in education, innovation, and support systems for persons with disabilities would significantly reduce poverty and street begging while promoting dignity, independence, and equal opportunities for all.
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