By Lanre Oloyede
In a landmark move towards realizing the objectives of the Beyond Disability Project, which is to create 36,551 jobs for Persons With Disabilities from the national level down to the local government and ward levels, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities on Friday presented appointment letters and terms of reference to state coordinators of the Project.
The presentation, which took place at a Documentation and Orientation Meeting in Abuja, marked a key milestone in the implementation stage of the BD-Project which was launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 22, 2024.
The BD-Project which is an initiative of the office of the SSA to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities is designed to empower over 5000 Persons With Disabilities through talent and skill development by providing training, mentorship, and resources for persons with disabilities to unlock their unique potentials. The Project has the potential to create over 36,551 jobs at the implementation stage.
The presentation is being done in batches with Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, and Jigawa leading the pilot phase.
These coordinators were nominated by their state governors and are tasked with establishing structures from local government down to the wards in their various states that will ensure the project’s successful implementation at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the meeting , the Senior presidential aide reminded the coordinators that their appointment as State Coordinators is not just a position; but a call to service, leadership, and transformation.
Hon. Abba Isa explained that the meeting was about two crucial objectives: the documentation of the newly appointed State Coordinators and an orientation that will provide the roadmap for the task ahead.
Highlighting the responsibilities and expectations from the coordinators, the presidential aide said:
“The coordinators are expected to oversee talent and skill development initiatives for PWDs in their states, ensuring the successful execution of programs designed to harness and nurture the potential of PWDs. SSAP Isa underscored the need for coordinators to remain in close communication with the national team to maintain alignment with the project’s overarching goals.
“It is essential that you remain in close contact with both the National Coordinator and the Senior Special Assistant’s office to ensure alignment with our national objectives. We will support you in every way possible, but we also expect you to be proactive, innovative, and adaptive to the unique challenges that may arise in your states.
In his brief remark, the national Coordinator of Beyond Disability Project, Hon. Rodstick Steven maintained that the State coordinators have a specified task before them to make sure they set up structures to make this project get to the grassroots.
Hon. Rodstick Steven, the National Coordinator of the BD-Project, provided a breakdown of how the initiative will generate 36,551 jobs as follows:
(1). National Structure –
Over 20 employment
(2) Six (6) Zonal Coordinators and two(2) executives Total of zonal employment =18 PWDs
(3) 37 state Coordinators and five (5) executives =185 persons
Total of State employment = 222 PWDs
(4) 774 LGAs coordinators and 3,870 executives
Total employment of 4,644 PWDs
(5) 8,809 ward coordinators and two executives
Total of wards employment = 26,427
(6) 5000 talented Persons With Disabilities
Grand Total of job opportunities=36,551
He emphasized the critical task before the coordinators to set up grassroots structures that will ensure the project reaches every PWD in their respective states.
Goodwill Messages
Delta State Coordinator, Mr. Omor Obruche, praised SSAP Isa for his visionary leadership and expressed confidence in the project’s ability to uplift PWDs in his state. He affirmed that the BD-Project will create jobs and reduce poverty among PWDs.
Echoing this sentiment, Chief Michael Ofoke from Ebonyi State lauded the office of the SSA for its achievements and expressed optimism about the project’s impact.
Mr. Umar Faruk, the Jigawa State Coordinator, described the BD-Project as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to PWD welfare, while Miss Chizoba Lucy Edeh from Enugu expressed gratitude for the initiative, vowing to lead the project successfully in her state.
Speaking on the benefits of the Project, the representative of the European Cultural Centre & Humanitarian Development Nigeria (ECC Nigeria) which is the Major partner of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on Special needs and Equal Opportunities (Persons with disabilities/Inclusion) on the Beyond disabilities project, Ambassador Sunny Victor Onuoha, highlighted the BD-Project’s role in fostering inclusivity, empowerment, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The European Cultural Centre Nigeria (ECC) which is in Charge of Vocational Training and skill acquisition for persons with disabilities in Nigeria is in a strong partnership with the Office of the Government of Nigeria via the office of the SSA to the President on Special needs and equal opportunities.
Addressing the new state Coordinators,
Ambassador Onuoha, who is a board member and Director of international Cultural Exchange at the ECC, stressed that the ECC remains committed to offering them full support via training programs.
He encouraged them to take their positions and duties very seriously including taking the beyond disabilities project to their varies states and indigenous communities.
He expressed great thanks to His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to give full support to the special needs and persons with disabilities In Nigeria and for Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa’s appointment as his Senior special assistant.
Ambassador Onuoha then said that the ECC Will continuously gives its full support to NIgeria Government especially persons with disabilities and special needs nationwide.
In his closing remark, Barr. Yusuf Iyodo, Chief of Staff to the SSA, congratulated the coordinators on their appointments and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity, assuring them of full support from the SSA’s office.
With the appointments made and the project gaining momentum, the BD-Project is set to transform the lives of PWDs across Nigeria, breaking barriers and creating lasting change.
