The Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has empowered 120 physically challenged persons in the state as a way of creating an atmosphere of equality among all productive youths in the state.
Bamidele, who presented cash gifts and wheel chairs to all the participants at BJC Event Centre in Ado-Ekiti, through his Senior Legislative Assistant, Hon. Bunmi Oguntuase, also exposed them to training in vocational and entrepreneurial skills to enhance their relevance in the present harsh economy.
The senator said the gesture was targeted at alleviating poverty among physically challenged persons in Ekiti and the first phase began in 2020, where 95 beneficiaries were empowered to be financially independent.
The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, lamented the precarious state of Nigeria’s economy which has widened the gulf of inequality between physically challenged persons and other citizens.
He said, “The structure of this country made it difficult for the physically challenged to savour the dividends of democracy in terms of access to the country’s commonwealth.
“In fact, it is sad that they were being discriminated against in all ways. They were not being considered for political appointments, employment opportunities, family inheritances , government empowerment programmes and even on the day of election, some of them find it difficult to go to the polling units to make their choices.
“Any society that is lopsidedly structured like this would automatically create more disabilities in abilities.
“That is why it is expedient for government at all levels to respect the UN Human Right Charters that every citizen, irrespective of race, political affiliations, colour and body composition, must have equal access to government commonwealth.
“It was on this basis I was propelled to give them empowerment through training and mobility to make them relevant,because physical disability doesn’t connote that one is bereft of ability that can make him contribute to national growth and development.”
Bamidele therefore promised to continue giving supports and empowerment to physically challenged persons in his constituency so as to increase their access to dividends of democracy.
“The APC-led Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti State believed in human capital development and social investment programmes and we have to complement the programmes being done by the executives for the dividends of democracy to trickle down to all strata of our society,” he added.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Araomo Stephen, from Ado Ekiti, said the training has equipped him with modern entrepreneurial skills that would make his small scale business thrive further.
Araomo, a cobbler, added that with this training, he has acquired more business acumen that would make him relevant despite the stiff competition in the commodity market.
“I have gained a lot from this training and empowerment programme. I appreciate Senator Bamidele and urge him to continue because it will help in changing the lives of my colleagues and reduce poverty in our dear state.”
Another beneficiary, Mrs Hannah Ojo from Aramoko in Ekiti West Local Government, applauded the programme concept, which was to make the physically challenged self-reliant.
“This programme will make us to be self-reliant and that is the best help anyone can render for us. We cannot continue to be beggars eternally, but with this, we can also make our lives better and stop being beggarly.”
Also speaking on the gains of the programme, Mr. Thomas Afeni from Ado-Ekiti Local Government, commended Senator Bamidele for capturing the group as beneficiaries of his empowerment programme.
“The fact that Senator Bamidele included us in this programme has really increased our trust in APC government and give us a confidence of a bright future despite our challenges.
“We really appreciate him and pray for his success in all his endeavours.”