The federal government has commenced the distribution of aids and assistive devices to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), in commemoration of the International Day of Persons With Disabilities (IDPWDs), held every December 3rd.
The Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, while speaking in Abuja on Monday during the commemoration of 2018 International Day of Persons With Disabilities (IDPWDs) said The Ministry has taken it upon itself to give more attention to issues relating to barriers faced by PWDs.
She added that with “With the help of our partners, we started the measurement of amputees from Niger state and the FCT for the purpose of providing prosthetic limbs to them. We will commence the distribution of the prosthetic limbs to beneficiaries from 4th to 6th December at the Committee Room, National Centre for Women Development, opposite Central Bank of Nigeria in Central Business District.”
At the event the Director of MTN Foundation, MTNF, Aishatu Sadauki, said that the foundation has trained more than 19,000 persons living with disabilities, including 833 under-graduate scholarships awarded to blind students in public tertiary institutions.
She added that that over 291 graduates from the MTNF Scholarship Scheme for Blind Students were trained.
The director also assured that no stone will be left unturned in making sure that People With Disabilities are integrated in the society by providing support to them in different ways.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja during the commemoration of International Day of Persons With Disabilities (IDPWDs) with the theme “Disability: breaking down the barriers”, the representative of the MTN foundation said her organisation is working hard to ensure that persons with disabilities are empowered with opportunities to live fulfilled lives through the MTN Foundation Disability Support Project.
She added that 100 young persons with disabilities have undergone skill acquisition training programmes and benefitted from a micro credit scheme under the MTN Foundation Skills Acquisition Project. Also, 1,500 hearing aids have been provided to 896 people with hearing loss, under the MTN Foundation Hearing Aid Support Project
She said “we will continue to give our best efforts. We will continue to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to support all persons living with disabilities to break down barriers,” she said.
The foundation presented crutches, Brailles and other assistive devices to the ministry.
The theme for 2018 is “Disability: Breaking down the barriers.
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