The Ekiti State Government has graduated and empowered another batch of 100 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) with vocational skills and working tools at the Skills Acquisition Centre for Persons With Disabilities, Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti.
The training and empowerment programme was organized by the Office of Disability Affairs in conjunction with the Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, in line with the inclusive governance and shared prosperity agenda of the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration.
The beneficiaries were trained in various vocational trades including Information and Communication Technology (ICT), tailoring, hairdressing, shoemaking, and catering and hospitality, to equip them with practical skills for self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
As part of the empowerment package, they were provided with startup equipment relevant to their areas of training, including sewing machines, hairdressing and salon equipment, shoemaking machines and tools, ICT equipment, as well as catering and hospitality equipment.
Speaking at the graduation and empowerment ceremony held on Friday at the premises of the Centre, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo, said the Oyebanji administration has significantly improved the fortunes of PWDs through inclusive policies and programmes that give every citizen a sense of belonging irrespective of physical condition, background or social status.
Adebayo noted that the administration remains committed to building a society where PWDs can access opportunities, acquire skills and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
He said the initiative, which combines vocational training with provision of startup tools, is designed to promote independence, encourage entrepreneurship and ensure that PWDs are active participants in the state’s economic and social development. He charged the graduands to make judicious use of the skills and equipment provided.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, said the programme has recorded steady growth since inception, from 30 participants in 2023, to 40 in 2024, 60 in 2025, and 100 beneficiaries in 2026.
She attributed the expansion to the commitment of the Oyebanji administration and its belief that disability is not inability.
According to her, the 2026 batch is particularly significant as 10 of the beneficiaries are parents of children with severe disabilities, particularly mothers who had been unable to engage in meaningful economic activities due to round-the-clock care for their children.
She said the establishment of the Ekiti State Government Therapy Centre for Children with Disabilities has changed the narrative by providing a safe and professional environment for therapy and care, thereby freeing the parents to acquire skills and earn a livelihood.
Princess Agboola expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji, describing him as an award-winning champion of disability inclusion.
“To our award-winning disability champion Governor, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, I say a big thank you for your leadership, guidance, support and empowerment,” she said.
“Every December 21 since 2022, you celebrate your birthday with children in special schools and have given a clear mandate to all your friends, associates and families never to celebrate you with parties or advertorials, but to divert the funds to the special schools. The latest project from the proceeds is the BAO Vision Studio at the Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere-Ekiti, a professional music studio for our blind students who are musically inclined.”
The ceremony was attended by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Olabimpe Aderiye; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi; Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Bolaji Aluko; Special Adviser on Tertiary Education, Prof. Akeem Azeez; and Chairman, Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Olaniran Olatona, among other dignitaries.
