Benin City – A non-governmental organization, under the aegis of Network for the Advancement of Persons with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID) have presented start-up grants, equipments and production items to physically challenged individuals drawn from across Edo state.
The event which took place on Tuesday in Benin City saw the presentation of electricity generating sets, industrial machines, refrigerators, stabilizers, washing machine for laundry services to beneficiaries under the group’s empowerment and skill acquisition programme.
Also presented were over a 100 packs of soft drinks, weaving machine, malets, hammers, pinchers, gum brush, leathers, filing machines, sewing machines, cash, and packs of plastic bags of various shapes and sizes as well as other items that would assist 12 selected recipients to be self reliant.
According to NAPVID’s executive director, Melody Omosah, the group is partnering with the state government to push an agenda for inclusion hence the programme to ensure improved standard of living for the physically challenged.
Omosah emphasized the event was second phase of livelihood and empowerment programme under its ‘Project HELP’ initiative launched in May last year, to assist “people with disabilities that are not employed, and with no means to start their own business.”
He noted that beneficiaries were thoroughly screened before they were trained on “certain skills” and subsequently assisted with the basic tools to enable them to be self dependent.
“They will be able to contribute, not just to their immediate family, but to the larger society”, Omosah remarked
The recipients who could not hide their joy expressed appreciation to NAPVID and the state government for the empowerment programme.
Highpoint of the event was presentation of cash cheques and equipments to the beneficiaries by focal person, State Social Investment Programme (SIP), Osayuwamen Aladeshelu and official from ministry of social development and gender issues, Eruaga Esther.
