Governor Oyebanji boosts disability inclusion as Ekiti graduates and empowers 60 citizens in major skills programme

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has pushed his inclusion drive further as the state graduated another 60 Persons With Disabilities from its Skills Acquisition Centre in Ado Ekiti, handing them tools, cash support and a pathway to economic independence. The ceremony, themed “Celebrating Courage, Craft and Capability”, marks the third phase of the governor’s specialised empowerment programme for PWDs and signals a deepening commitment to human capital investment across the state.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Niyi Adebayo, the governor said his administration will not back down from policies that guarantee dignity and opportunity for PWDs. He highlighted fresh strides, including the employment of 28 PWDs in the civil service, free healthcare at primary health centres, free education for children with disabilities, compulsory free assessments, therapeutic services across special schools and ongoing campaigns promoting respect for disability rights.

Governor Oyebanji boosts disability inclusion as Ekiti graduates and empowers 60 citizens in major skills programme

“Every individual must have room to thrive. Human capital development guides our work, and people with disabilities remain a priority,” he said, urging the newly trained beneficiaries to use their skills to strengthen both their livelihoods and their communities.

The event drew senior government officials who praised the administration’s approach. Ekiti’s Head of Service, Folakemi Olomojobi, described the programme as unprecedented, noting the extent of collaboration, support and structure that made it possible. The Chairman of the Board for Disability Affairs, Ebenezer Ogunlade, added that only a leader with courage and empathy would invest heavily in a sector that demands high financial and institutional commitment, pointing to renovated special schools and new assistive devices as evidence.

Special Adviser on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, said the graduates represent resilience and progress. She applauded the governor for fully implementing the 2020 Disability Act, a move she said has transformed the landscape for disability rights in Ekiti. She disclosed that over 100 PWD-owned businesses have received grants, many others have received devices and job placements, and this year’s programmes include mental health support for women with disabilities.

Princess Agboola also announced that the federal and state First Ladies, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, will jointly support a major empowerment initiative in two weeks. She revealed that 120 PWDs were approved for this year’s training, 60 have graduated, and 60 remain in session, each set to receive certification, start-up kits and financial support upon completion. She urged the beneficiaries to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards to safeguard continuity in disability-focused governance.

The Executive Secretary of the Office of Disability Affairs said the graduates enjoyed free accommodation, meals, transport stipends and industrial placements during the programme. Each beneficiary will now receive a trade-specific start-up kit and a proficiency certificate from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, which positions them for potential civil service employment. He noted that more than 70 PWDs benefited in the past two years, attributing the success to the governor’s clear vision and Agboola’s relentless pursuit of inclusion.

The 2025 cohort draws beneficiaries from all 16 local government areas and 38 LCDAs, after nine months of intensive vocational training and three months of industrial attachment in ICT, tailoring, catering, shoemaking, hairdressing, business management and other trades.

Ekiti’s inclusion agenda continues to gather momentum, with the latest graduation signalling a government leaning heavily into social investment rather than rhetoric.