Tinubu aide,Abba facilitates empowerment program for PWDs

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has proactively facilitated an empowerment program for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Last Friday, SMEDAN awarded startup kits to PWDs and other entrepreneurs to enhance their businesses. The Director-General of SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, made the announcement in Abuja, highlighting that this empowerment falls under the National Business Skills Development Initiative (NBSDI) of the agency.

Mr. Odii reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive government, particularly focusing on the youth, women, and PWDs.

Abba, through his head of media and communications, Comrade Lanre Oloyede, stated that this initiative aligns with the mandate of his office to proactively create opportunities for inclusion by incorporating disability requirements.

Oloyede remarked, “Hon. Abba Isa demonstrated his commitment to inclusivity by facilitating the inclusion of five PWDs in the recent empowerment program organized by the agency through the instrumentality of his office.”

The statement stated that Hon. Abba Isa ensured that SMEDAN allocated the prescribed 5% statutory quota for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in accordance with the national disability law in the recently launched National Business Skills Development Initiative (NBSDI).

“Hon. Abba Isa vowed to continue seizing every opportunity available in both government MDAs and private initiatives for the betterment of the lives of PWDs in the country, in line with the mandate given to him by the President.

The SSAP expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his vision for disability inclusion, reaffirming Mr. President’s unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where all citizens, including those with disabilities, can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic development in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement reported that 55 individuals, including 5 PWDs from various disability clusters, were trained and awarded certificates and startup kits in the Federal Capital Territory.

Participants in fashion designing received industrial machines, while those in catering received mixers, gas cylinders, and industrial ovens. Leatherwork participants were equipped with necessary machines for their businesses.

One of the PWD awardees, Mr. Adero Umar, expressed gratitude, stating, “I am happy for this opportunity and the materials in leather works, which I have received today. I will not roam the streets begging because I have acquired a skill and will be able not only to start my own shoe business but employ people like me to join me in my business.”

Another PWD, Mr. Ashiru Abdullahi, an existing fashion designer, thanked the agency, noting that the industrial sewing machine he received would enable him to expand his business.