By Josfyn Uba
As part of the seven major areas of focus of Rotary, Rotary Club International, Rotary Club of Lekki Phase 1, has taken a bold step in tackling poverty and promoting inclusivity in Lagos by offering free vocational training to some selected persons living with disabilities in various skills acquisition programmes to sharpen their skills and expand their knowledge on how to effectively manage themselves to become self-reliant.
The club offered N1.5 million to the Friends of Persons with Disabilities Vocational Center, Oja Oba, in Lagos Island. They focused on equipping participants with practical skills to foster entrepreneurship and financial independence for these special needs.
Speaking on the initiative, the president of the club, Sina Elusakin, emphasized the programme’s mission to open entrepreneurial doors and reduce poverty in the community. While participation was limited due to a rigorous selection process, he explained that this approach ensured only genuinely passionate and committed individuals were chosen.
“The club is exploring other ways to offer sustained support to participants. They actually proposed a vocational and empowerment training programme for persons with disabilities. The emphasis is for special needs because it is part of the club’s vision.
“This was borne out of our passion to empower persons with disabilities and prevent them from begging on the streets. So we decided to create an income-generating avenue for them.”
He urged them to fully utilize their skills both commercially and domestically, highlighting the potential for these abilities to transform their lives and contribute to their communities.
The club has set a new standard for community engagement, with beneficiaries calling for the continuation of such impactful initiatives to ensure broader access to opportunities for all.
Many beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Rotary Club for creating a platform that promotes inclusivity and empowers marginalized groups.
A member of the board of trustees at the centre, Mr. Vigil Anyanwu, lauded the club for its innovative and inclusive approach. He praised the resilience and determination of the PWD acquiring skills, describing their success as a testament to their ability to overcome challenges.
Anyanwu thanked the club for its gesture of kindness, empathy and love, which, “I must say are overwhelming. May God bless you.
“With the ever-growing population of youths unemployed and the rate at which unemployment in today’s world has increased, coupled with harsh economic challenges, persons with disabilities need special welfare packages with this initiative. All thanks to God for witnessing the fulfilment of this dream.”
He noted that the vocational training was one of those contributions to educational advancement expected from organisations such as Rotary, as well as well-meaning individuals in the country.