The Lagos State Government says the disbursement of funds to People Living with Disabilities, PLD, who are willing to go into Small scale and Medium Enterprises, will soon begin.
The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, stated this at the interactive quiz between students of special and inclusive primary schools in Lagos, organised by the Lagos State Office for Disabilities Affairs, LASODA, in Ikeja.
Akinbile-Yusuf said the fund would be drawn from the N500m disability funds earmarked for PLD by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
She said, “The government is set to fund PLDs who are willing to go into small scale trades and subsistent agricultural businesses in Lagos State. All you need to do is to join a recognised cluster association, peculiar to your type of disability, and meet other necessary requirements.”
The commissioner appealed to the public not to regard disability concerns as belonging to government alone.
“Therefore, we must always include them in all our plans and ensure economic, social and political integration,” she added.
The Permanent Secretary, Youth and Social Development, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, urged members of the public to support the government’s effort in making life meaningful for PLDs in the state.
Chairman, Governing Board of LASODA, Waheed Oki, commended Ambode for offering jobs to 250 PLDs in the state
The quiz competition was won by Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted, with a cash prize of N200,000.