By Ibrahim Bello
The Leprosy Mission Nigeria, on Thursday, distributed starter kits to People Living with Disability (PLWD) in Kebbi State to enable them to become self-sufficient.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prior to the starter kits distribution, the selected beneficiaries were trained on different skills acquisition.
Distributing the items at the Ministry for Women Affairs in Birnin Kebbi, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Halima Hassan-Kamba, appreciated the leprosy mission on behalf of the state government.
“The State Government is appreciative of your support to the less privileged.
“You are extending your hands of benevolence beyond just leprosy but to other persons with special needs,” she said.
The commissioner assured that the present administration in the state had been carrying those with special needs along, hence, the establishment of State Commission for Persons with Disability.
She said in an effort to give people living with disability a sense of belong, wife of the state governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasare-Idris had recently disbursed N100,000 each to 1,000 PLWD across the state.
In his speech, the National Director, The Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Dr Sunday Udoh, said the essence of the gesture was to give the PLWD the opportunity to become self-sustained.
Udoh, who was represented by Dr Ojomu Opeyemi, State Technical Officer, leprosy mission, urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the gesture to improve their livelihood.
He lauded the beneficiaries for their patience, decorum and resilient to learn during the training session and urged them to keep the flag flying.
Alhaji Anas Malami-Gwandu, Chairman, Kebbi Disability Commission, described the gesture as an act of generosity towards making people with special needs self-dependent.
The chairman promised to monitor the activities of the beneficiaries to ensure that the items donated to them serve the purpose they were meant for.
Earlier, the Director, Women Rights Initiative, Dr Liaitu Bamaiyi restated the commitment of her organisation to always assist persons with special needs to stand on their feet.
She charged the beneficiaries not to dispose up of the items given to them, instead, they should use it to transform their living standards.
While observing that it was better for a person to give out than to be given, Bamaiyi said with zeal and determination, the beneficiaries would be able to render a helping hand to the physically unchallenged (fit) persons (normal persons).
In their separate remarks, the Director Humanitarian Affairs, Malam Halilu Abubakar and Director, Women Affairs, Malama Hadiza Sani, described the gesture as a dedication to ensure inclusivity.
They said the gesture was in line with the ministry’s goals of ensuring that everyone was carried along.
NAN reports that items distributed included; wielding machines, sewing machines and grinding machines among others. (NAN/vitalnewsngr.com)
