The Ekiti State Government has trained and equipped 100 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to start businesses and earn a living after graduating from its Skills Acquisition Centre in Iloku, Ado-Ekiti.
The beneficiaries received training in Information and Communication Technology, tailoring, hairdressing, shoemaking, catering and hospitality.
The government also provided them with working tools and equipment, including sewing machines, salon equipment, shoemaking machines, ICT devices and catering equipment.
The Office of Disability Affairs organised the training and empowerment programme in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion.
Speaking at the graduation and empowerment ceremony on Friday, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Oyeniyi Adebayo, said the initiative formed part of the state government’s efforts to equip PWDs with skills and create opportunities for them to participate in economic activities.
Adebayo urged the beneficiaries to put the skills and equipment to use by establishing businesses in their respective fields.
He said combining vocational training with working tools would help PWDs become economically independent and encourage entrepreneurship.
The Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Adetoun Agboola, said the programme had expanded steadily from 30 beneficiaries in 2023 to 40 in 2024, 60 in 2025 and 100 in 2026.
She said the increase demonstrated the government’s commitment to creating more opportunities for PWDs across the state.
Agboola disclosed that 10 of the 100 beneficiaries in the 2026 class were parents of children with severe disabilities who had previously struggled to engage in economic activities because of the demands of caring for their children.
According to her, the establishment of the Ekiti State Government Therapy Centre for Children with Disabilities has enabled the parents to acquire vocational skills and pursue economic activities while their children receive therapy and care.
Agboola also commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for supporting programmes targeted at PWDs and special schools across the state.
She said Oyebanji had, since 2022, celebrated his birthdays by spending time with children in special schools and encouraging his associates and family members to redirect funds meant for birthday celebrations to the schools.
Agboola said proceeds from the initiative had supported several projects, including the BAO Vision Studio at the Government Special School for the Blind in Ikere-Ekiti.
She explained that the studio would enable blind students to record and produce music, providing them with an avenue to develop their creative talents.
