Lagos State government through the Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA has registered and presented free Corporate Affairs Commission, (CAC) certificates to about 100 Persons With Disabilities, PWDs in the state.
This move according to the agency is to create sustainable and successful business environment for the disability community in Lagos.
Speaking at a 2-day empowerment training for disabilities clusters held at the STO Resource Centre, Alausa, the General Manager, Office for Disability Affairs, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal said that the program was designed to equip PWDs with essential skills to establish their business, foster economic independence and allow them to contribute to the economic growth.
Oyetunde-Lawal who was represented by the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Mrs Omolade Shonubi mentioned that the theme of the programme ‘Promoting Inclusive Business: Enhancing Opportunities tor Person with Disabilities in Lagos’ is apt and is a way to break down stereotypes and elevate the standards of businesses run by the PWDs.
She said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is committed to creating policies that ensure inclusion and equal rights for PWDs, including access to vocational training, self-employment opportunities and other pathways to economic empowerment.
According to her “Business registration enhances credibility with customers, promotes financial inclusion, so we usually encouraged self-employed PWDs to register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). And the whole essence of the programme is to empower them in different ways because we want them to be in business and we want to eliminate the idea of begging. We have registered 100 PWDs businesses and we are issuing them the certificates as well teaching them on how to be successful in their businesses.
“We have a lot of them here, some are into soaps and perfumes making, fashion, packaging business among others, so we have registered them and at the end of the day we are going to have many PWDs business owners that are confident to make Impactful input in the economy.”
100 beneficiaries
LASODA Boss maintained that the agency is starting with 100 beneficiaries and intends to scale up the numbers with a commitment to monitor their businesses as well as activate connections with Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and Commercial Banks that can give soft loans and grants to them.
Besides the presentation of the CAC certificates, beneficiaries were also offered training in Entrepreneurship Business Development, Taxation, Branding, and Record-keeping within the 2-day period.
Poverty and unemployment
Oyetunde-Lawal explained that poverty and unemployment are major impediments limiting those with disabilities to participate in the economic advancement, stressing that Lagos has been working to remove those barriers.
She said: “To address these barriers, it is essential to provide PWDs with robust business management skills to ensure they can build and operate successful enterprises. With proper training, they can create quality products and services, attract customers, and positively impact our economy.
“Our objective is to position PWDs to compete alongside other entrepreneurs by focusing on skill development and ensuring they are equipped to meet the demands of the business world.”
She however urged them to focus on self-improvement, be disciplined as the State will continue to provide them with requisite skills and knowledge required to triumph in the face of the current economic challenges.
Olusola Akintonde
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