Kebbi Government has disbursed N100 million to 1,000 persons living with disability for entrepreneurship to enable them become self-sufficient.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the beneficiaries selected from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, went home with N100,000 to engage in profitable ventures for self-reliance.
NAN reports that the gesture was done to mark the International Day for Persons with Disability in the state.
Disbursing the money in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, Kebbi First Lady, Hajiya Zainab Idris, informed the gathering that the gesture was in furtherance of the policy thrust of her husband, Gov. Nasir Idris, to uplift the welfare of persons with disability.
“The incumbent administration is deeply committed to improving the livelihood of persons with disability and providing them with requisite education to become productive members of the society.
“Gov. Idris is providing care to members of such group like other segments of the society. He has established a Commission for Persons with Disability to look after their welfare.
“Furthermore, the government approved the disbursement of N100,000 each to 1,000 persons living with disability to engage in trade to become self-reliant.
“The governor wants you to enjoy life like your able-bodied counterparts. Kebbi government desires to take you off the streets and minimise the incidence of begging,” she said.
The governor’s wife assured that authorities would monitor how each of the beneficiaries utilises the N100,000 granted at the end of the year, “and we shall inquire from your leaders what you have done with the money.
“You must not continue to be a nuisance or burden on other people through persistence in begging; invest the money for profit and self- reliance.”
Earlier, the Chairman, Kebbi State Persons with Disability Rights Commission, Alhaji Anas Malami- Gwandu, thanked Gov. Idris for placing premium on the well-being of persons with disability, encompassing the blind, lepers, deaf and dumb and people with paralysis.
“The establishment of the commission provides the opportunity to persons with disability to perform optimally to capacity by becoming fully integrated into the main stream society.
“The commission is, therefore, cautioning you to abide by the rules and regulations concerning street begging.
“This government is committed to the provision of quality education to all persons living with disability, every child has unfettered access to education,” Malami-Gwandu said.
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu-Bashar, represented by the Ubandoman Gwandu, Alhaji Sadiq Ibrahim- Sadiq, acknowledged the commendable efforts of Gov. Idris, for his care to persons with disability, orphans and the needy in the state.
The Monarch advised the beneficiaries of the fund to reciprocate the gesture by engaging in profitable ventures and shunning street begging.
On their part, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Zayyanu Umar-Aliero, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Shafi’u Zauro, appreciated the magnanimity of Gov. Idris, and his wife, Hajiya Zainab Idris for their philanthropic gesture over the years, to orphans and persons with disability.
NAN reports that a level three student studying Education/Chemistry at Federal University Birnin Kebbi, using a wheelchair, Abdulhakim Abubakar, was introduced to the gathering as a symbol of ‘ability in disability’.
Gov. Idris had earlier donated a brand new motorcycle to him, and offered him automatic employment as a teacher, having obtained Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) before gaining admission into the university. (NAN)
