Yobe state government through the ministry for wealth creation, empowerment and employment generation has donated 350 tricycles to persons living with disabilities in the state.
The Chairperson Local Organizing Committee, Fatima Mohammed Faga, handed over the donation on behalf of the ministry to Joints National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) chairman, Usman Bura, during the celebration of the 2024 International Disability Day.
The event with the theme,” “Transformative Leadership For a inclusive Development”, which was supported by United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) took place in Damaturu attended by stakeholders, development partners, security personnel as well as persons with disability respectively.
Also at the occasion, an international non- governmental organization, Care International also donated 100 dignity kits to persons with disabilities.
In her welcome address, Fatima reiterated government’s and development partners’ commitment to fostering inclusion.
According to her,” This initiative reflects our collective determination to ensure persons with disabilities reach their full potential”.
In his keynote address, Mr. Oghene Tega, the Disability Working Group (DWG) sector coordinator, revealed that so far they are able to collect data of the persons with disabilities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
“Now we have about 60 percent of the data of persons with disabilities in the BAY states,” she said.
Earlier in his remarks, the state chairman Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Usman Bura Gabai, urged the state government to assent the disability bill in the state, describing it as “Crucial for safeguarding the right of persons with disabilities”.
Also, members of the disability community expressed appreciation to the state government and other development partners for the items given to them and pledged to utilize them effectively.