The First Lady of Lagos, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-olu on Wednesday received foremost Non-Governmental-Organization leading the conversation on Disability Inclusion in Nigeria, Project Enable Africa at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
During the courtesy visit she applauded the team led by the Project Director, Olusola Owonikoko, for being forthright with such an initiative which seeks to provide ICT Skills for Persons with Disabilities. “I am happy to know that an organization exists here in Lagos that caters for Persons with Disability essentially as it has to do with providing them with Digital skills which is so crucial for career and personal growth”
“This administration is an inclusive one, and we will do all that is possibly to ensure that no one is left behind, including people Living with Disability, we are committed to ensuring that they also have a sense of belonging and dignity.”
While engaging the First Lady of Lagos with the components of Project Enable Africa and how the initiative is touching lives, Owonikoko mentioned to her that Project Enable Africa which was founded in 2014 has empowered over five hundred persons with disabilities with ICT skills in the area which includes, Digital marketing, graphics design, web development, social media marketing amongst others, he also went further to explain that a good number of them have been linked with employment and internship opportunities in Lagos.
He also explained that the Initiative will be awarding individuals and organizations both in the public and private sector who are championing disability inclusion in their processes, plans and processes.
According to him “The DIAL Awards scheduled to hold in December, is a platform to recognise and celebrate individuals and corporate organisations in the private, public and civil society sector. The goal is to inspire individuals and organisations alike to accelerate disability inclusion in their processes, policies, programs and physical and digital platforms.” Owonikoko said
Though the NGO looks to expand in the coming year with bigger support and collaborations, Mr. Owonikoko said that Project Enable Africa presently caters for five disability clusters at the moment which include, the deaf, the visually impaired, the physically challenged, albino and individuals with disabilities as a result of sickle cell.
“I advise that you take conscious effort to monitor and evaluate the progress of all those who have benefitted from the digital trainings and other empowerment programs you provide, this is important to monitor and properly evaluate impact which put Project Enable Africa in a good position for growth and monumental impact in the future.”
Further providing counsel to the team, Her Excellency, Mrs. Sanwo-Olu said “it is important to replicate this initiative in other states of the federation, as it shouldn’t be an idea for Persons With Disabilities who reside in Lagos alone. I suggest that you look out for scaling this idea across the nation even if it will first require taking the laudable initiative to neighbouring South West states.”
