By Abraham Abubakar
The Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs (KOSODA), has launched the Ododo Continuity Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Empowerment Project (Phase 1), at the Glass House, Government House, Lokoja.
The event, which began at 9 a.m., marked a major step toward economic inclusion for persons with disabilities across the state. It featured the creation of skill acquisition centres in the three senatorial districts and the distribution of starter packs, business support funds, and other forms of assistance.
In his opening remarks, Executive Secretary of KOSODA, Hon. Yakubu Abdulhakeem (Brain Not Legs), welcomed distinguished guests, government officials, traditional leaders, security personnel, representatives of organisations of persons with disabilities, and delegates from all 21 local government areas.
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He described the occasion as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the disability community and expressed profound gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for recognising the importance of persons with disabilities and ensuring their representation in government.
Abdulhakeem particularly thanked the governor for appointing one of their own to lead the agency charged with their welfare and development.
He outlined the core components of the first phase of the programme to include: Establishment of skill-acquisition centres across the three senatorial districts, provision of Point of Sale (POS) machines with starter packs, business support funds for PWDs, financial assistance for couples with disabilities, and support for the Association of Wives with Disabilities. Practical tools distributed included butterfly sewing machines, oven baking cake stands, hair dryers, and shoe-filling machines.
First Lady of Kogi State, Hajiya Sefinat Usman Ododo, Chief Habibat Tijjani Onumoko, Attorney General of Kogi State; Dr Atojoko Aisha, Permanent Secretary, Administration and Public Services, representing Head of Service Hajiya Falilat Yusuf Musa; and Hon. Daniel Ibrahim, SSA to the Governor on Grassroots Mobilisation, were among the principal figures present and highly represented.
Community leaders described the launch as “a dream come true.” They expressed gratitude to Governor Ododo for recognising the disability community and for taking steps to ensure representation within government.
Speakers urged beneficiaries to treat the support as an opportunity for sustainable livelihoods rather than a recurring handout. They called on recipients to use the skills training, equipment, and funds wisely, develop viable businesses, generate income for their families, and carry the message of inclusion and self-reliance to the thousands of PWDs across the 21 local government areas who could not attend.
“Today is a new beginning for us,” one speaker said. “Let us work together, support one another, and make the most of this opportunity so that persons with disabilities in Kogi State will have lasting reasons to smile through economic independence, dignity, and inclusion.”
Officials highlighted that the skill-acquisition centres and start-up packages align with the administration’s broader commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity. The programme is expected to improve livelihoods while contributing to the overall development of the state.
The Ododo Continuity PWDs Empowerment Project (Phase 1) is positioned as a landmark effort by the Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs to promote self-reliance and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in the state’s economy. Beneficiaries were congratulated and encouraged to turn the day’s support into a foundation for long-term progress.
The event closed with prayers for the continued success of the initiative and for an inclusive Kogi State.
