The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NVPWD), Hon. Ayuba Gufuwan, while playing a curtsey visit to MTN Headquarters in Lagos, called the organization to support the Commission in its efforts by providing mobility aids and scholarship for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria, saying that empowering them will avail them the opportunities to achieve their full potentials.
“Seek ye first mobility, and every other thing shall be added unto you. Mobility is the foundation of independence for Persons with Disabilities. Without it, access to education, employment, and economic opportunities remains a challenge,” Hon. Gufwan stated.
Hon. Gufwan, applauded MTN for its longstanding support for Persons with Disabilities. He lamented on the limited budgetary allocation to the commission, which he said is grossly insufficient to cater for the needs of over 35.5 million PWDs in Nigeria. He appealed to corporate organizations and other stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to bridge this gap as this will enhance inclusion and accessibility for PWDs nationwide.
He also commended MTN’s commitment to inclusivity, particularly in ensuring that its buildings and infrastructure are accessible to PWDs. He encouraged other organizations to adopt similar measures to promote disability-friendly environments.
In her remarks, the Human Resources Manager of MTN, Mrs. Esther Akinnukawe, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. She highlighted MTN’s four core pillars of inclusivity which includes, Gender Balance, Persons with Disabilities, Age Representation and Ethnic Representation.
HRM noted that MTN is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for PWDs and has already partnered with Sightsavers to train PWDs at the IT Bridge Academy, equippe them with digital and employability skills. She assured NCPWD that MTN would explore all available opportunities to sponsors and provides for mobile aids to support PWDs across Nigeria.
Contributing to the discussion, Technical Assistant to the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Dr Adebayo Adebukola, stressed the need for a national database to capture PWDs in all 774 local government areas in Nigeria. He opined that such a database will provide for effective coordination of the programs, including career fairs, employment placements, and social welfare for PWDs.
According to him “partnership between NCPWD and MTN underscores a shared commitment to empowering Persons with Disabilities, ensuring equal access to opportunities, and fostering a more inclusive Nigerian society” Adebukola noted.
