Physically challenged charged to participate in national growth

By Usman Shauibu Abuja

People living with disabilities in the country have been advised to think deeply on how to contribute actively to the economic growth of the country.
This call was made by the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Staff With Disabilities Cooperatives, Alhaji AbdulRauf O. Iliasu during a weekly empowerment training for disables in Old Parade Ground Abuja.
Iliasu urged the physically challenged at the venue to think less of their health challenges but think more of the great potentials in deposited by God in them.
Addressing hundreds of people with disabilities who came from different parts of the country, Alhaji Iliasu charged them to come up with business ideas that can make life better for them and the society at large while assuring them of good supports anytime and anywhere.
Impressed by the speech made by the chairman of Federal Staff Disability, some people with physical challenged at the venue signified their readiness to embark on petty trading.
Most of the respondents complained of the lack of initial capital as impediment to their willingness to contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of the country.
A respondent, Mallam Rabiu from Kano said he knows about Kola nut business doesn’t have capital with which to buy a basketful of Kola Nut.
Some women participants also signified interest in selling of drinks just as they requested different amounts of money as capital for the trading.
A woman, Hajia Jumai Audu said a token amount of seventeen thousand five hundred Naira is enough for her to revive her food restaurant that had been locked for some time.
Touch by various requests, the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Staff With Disabilities, Alhaji AbdulRauf Iliasu announced short listing of 57 applicant for supports and empowerment and Fifty thousand Naira cash were disbursed to each of the shortlisted candidates to start their businesses.
A lucky recipient of the loan, Madam Esther Uchenna who uncontrollably busted into tears said life had no meaning to her without money to feed her three disable children, she said times without numbers the family of four slept with hunger..