The Ekiti State Government has graduated and empowered 100 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) with vocational skills and working tools as part of efforts to promote economic inclusion and self-reliance.
The beneficiaries completed an intensive training programme at the Skills Acquisition Centre for Persons With Disabilities in Iloku, Ado-Ekiti, where they received training in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), tailoring, hairdressing, shoemaking, catering and hospitality.
The programme was organised by the Office of Disability Affairs in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion.
The graduates were also provided with equipment to enable them to begin work in their respective fields. The items included sewing machines, salon equipment, shoemaking machines and tools, ICT equipment, as well as catering and hospitality equipment.
Speaking at the graduation and empowerment ceremony on Friday, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Oyeniyi Adebayo, said the initiative reflected the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and creating opportunities for PWDs to contribute to the state’s economic and social development.
Adebayo urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of the skills and equipment provided to them, while encouraging them to remain focused and committed to building sustainable livelihoods.
He said combining vocational training with start-up equipment would promote independence and entrepreneurship among PWDs.
The Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, said the programme had expanded steadily since its inception, growing from 30 participants in 2023 to 40 in 2024 and 60 in 2025, before reaching 100 beneficiaries in 2026.
Agboola said 10 of the 100 beneficiaries in the 2026 cohort were parents of children with severe disabilities who had previously struggled to pursue economic activities because of the round-the-clock care required by their children.
According to her, the establishment of the Ekiti State Government Therapy Centre for Children with Disabilities has provided a safe and professional environment for children to receive therapy and care, allowing their parents to acquire skills and engage in economic activities.
She also commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his support for programmes targeting PWDs and special schools across the state.
Agboola recalled that since 2022, the governor had marked his birthday by spending time with children in special schools and directed his friends, associates and family members to channel funds that would have been spent on celebrations towards the schools.
She said proceeds from the initiative had contributed to projects including the BAO Vision Studio at the Government Special School for the Blind in Ikere-Ekiti, a facility designed to enable blind students with musical interests to record songs professionally.
The 2026 training programme followed an earlier initiative launched by the state government in January, when 100 PWDs were enrolled in an eight-month vocational training programme covering several areas, including tailoring, catering, shoemaking, hairdressing, ICT and soap-making.
The graduation and empowerment programme is part of the Ekiti State Government’s broader efforts to promote skills development and economic participation among persons with disabilities.
