The Lagos State Government on Wednesday restated its commitment to equipping physically-challenged persons with relevant skills for the current labour market demands and for self-sufficiency.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, represented by the Director, Administration and Human Resource in her Office, Mrs. Bolaji Benedicta DaSouza-Olowofela disclosed in her address to a cross-section of beneficiaries of the 2019 Vocational and Empowerment Training Programme in Ikorodu that the training would address the challenges being faced by Persons Living With Disabilities across the five divisions of the State.
Jaji said the programme was organised by the Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs in line with the present administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda for a Greater Lagos.
“People must be self-sufficient. Today’s event further shows the love and commitment to the improvement of Persons Living with Disabilities in the State”, she stated.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to contribute their quota by adding value that will improve the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the State in particular and Nigeriain general.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olusegun Daodu, said the training was aimed at making the 300 beneficiaries acquire a vocation free of charge to become self-employed and economically independent.
Represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Yewande Falugba, the Commissioner stressed the need to continue advancing the collective well-being of people living with disabilities through training, adding that it would go a long way in giving them purpose and a sense of belonging.
She enjoined the beneficiaries of the training programme to put in their best to justify the State Government’s confidence in them.
While appealing to security officers to attach a greater premium to the protection of lives of PWDs, Falugba urged the Press to publicise the need for collaborative efforts among all categories of people in the society to ensure the social and economic integration of PWDs in the State.
