NAN-H-98
Centre
By Angela Atabo/Lizzy Okoji
Abuja, April 27, 2017 (NAN) The Ohidoo Foundation, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) says plans are on to establish a vocational centre for people living with disabilities in Karamajiji Community.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Karamajiji is a suburb along airport road, Abuja.
Ms Mairam Obolo, the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Obolo, the gesture is to empower people living with disabilities to enable them carter for themselves as well as contribute to the economy.
Obolo said that the way forward was to equip them with skills that would enable them make their own money rather than always being at the mercy of other people.
“When I interacted with people living with disabilities Karamajiji Community, I realised that they were willing to work and not live as beggars.
“I also saw some entrepreneur spirit in them, so the foundation has decided to set up a vocational centre to engage them in the production chain drive of the Federal Government to contribute to the economy.
“The skills to be learnt would include fashion designing, mat making, baskets head gears and so on.’’
Obolo said this would help to settle them in one place and to be properly cared for and loved by their family.
She said the centre when fully established would contribute to the industrilisation of the nation toward a sustainable economy as well as curb capital flight.
Obolo said her organisation was working to cater for them by meeting their needs in areas of health, education, vocational skills, basic social amenities, agriculture and business and cooperative privileges.
According to her, the establishment of the centre in the community will enable them to acquire educate, and empowerment, especially those, who are severely stigmatised and usually not considered to become relevant.
She said it would also help to facilitate the improvement of economic and social right among persons with disability in the community.
She urged the government and other philanthropists to key into the programme to create a better life and economic equality for them. (NAN)
ATAB/LIZ/EEE
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Edited by Ese E. Ekama