Disability should not impede digital, economic success – Minister

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami says disability should not impede digital and economic inclusion and success.

He added that with adequate knowledge, skills and resources, Persons Living with Special Needs can be job employers rather than job seekers.

The Minister stated this at the closing ceremony of the 5-day training programme for People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, in Enugu State, South-East, Nigeria.
Dr Pantami noted that Promoting Digital Entrepreneurship among PLWDs constitutes an important part of the National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria which treats entrepreneurship as a key component of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth that strives to leave no one behind.

While quoting a 2018 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, He said around 785 million (between 19% and 25%) of the world population of 15 years and older are People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs).

Because of this, he said there is a deliberate policy that seeks to improve labour market opportunities and support social inclusion for PLWDs as part of digital policy.

“The essence of this programme is to assert that Disability should not be an impediment to digital and economic inclusion/success. With this training programme, the participants would have acquired hands-on skills that can help you to operate Small Scale IT business.

“To extend the knowledge acquired from this training to others within and beyond your clusters so as to facilitate digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide amongst PLWDs.” Dr Pantami said.

According to him, an empowerment programme will help to bridge the digital divide and foster the sustainable inclusion of persons living with disabilities.

“Our conviction is that exposure to training on these technologies can help PLWDs in business creation thereby improving their ability to participate in societal functions. This will expectedly improve their self-esteem, confidence, and also increases the likelihood of being economically buoyant.” He said.

Dr Pantami advised participants to consider the training as an opportunity and take advantage of the facilities, knowledge and skills acquired to be job providers, rather than job seekers.

“Consider the training to be a foundation of your becoming a digital entrepreneur. I urge you to extend the knowledge and skills you have acquired here to your family, friends and associates thereby bridging the digital divide we have in Nigeria,” he said.

The Minister also commended NITDA for organizing the programme urged the agency to extend the training to other states in the country.

He also thanked the Enugu State Government for supporting and hosting the programme and hoped for continued cooperation and partnership for the benefit of its residents.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa said the exclusion and marginalization of Persons Living with Special Needs is a human right violation as well as an economic issue for the country.

He recalled that on the 25th of January 2019, President Mohammadu Buhari signed into law, the discrimination of persons with disability provision act and that the which aligns National Digital Economy Policy for Digital Nigeria which the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has been implementing.

According to Inuwa, “Digital technology can break traditional barriers to communication, interaction and access to information”

Inuwa explained to the participants that technology will help in overcoming their challenges also urged them to use the knowledge they have acquired from the training to make all that was impossible for them, possible.

Also, the Executive Governor of Enugu State who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on ICT, Mr Emeka Ani, thanked the Communications Minister and the Director-General of NITDA for the implementation of the initiative.

“Enugu state will continue to give all the support, cooperation and collaboration to NITDA and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy” Mr Ani reiterated.

Zainab Sa’id