By Lanre Oloyede
In the spirit of Ramadan—a season of love, compassion, and giving—the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, in partnership with the Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr. Charles Odii, has extended humanitarian support to the FCT School of the Blind.
The initiative, a demonstration of corporate social responsibility, provided essential food items and financial assistance to students of the school. It aimed not only to ease their burden during the holy month of Ramadan but also to inspire and encourage them to pursue their dreams without limitations.
SSAP Abba Isa Encourages Students to Dream Big
Speaking at the event, Hon. Abba Isa assured the students that disability is not a limitation to success. Drawing from his personal experience of how an accident left him wheelchair-bound yet did not deter him from achieving his goals, he urged them to remain determined and resilient.
“We are here to support you and to encourage you not to be deterred by your disability. Despite your visual impairment, you can become whatever you want to be. I can see future presidents, governors, and commissioners among you,” he said.
The SSAP further commended the management, teachers, and caregivers of the institution for their dedication and sacrifice in nurturing the students.
“Your patience, commitment, and hard work are shaping the future of these children. You are giving them the tools to thrive despite the challenges they face. Please know that you are not alone in this journey—our office and other organizations will continue to support you,” he assured.
“The key to success lies in your determination and commitment to education. Dream big, work hard, and believe in yourselves because you can achieve anything,” he said.
The SSAP also extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Charles Odii for partnering with his office on this noble cause. “Your generous provision of food palliatives and additional support demonstrates your unwavering commitment to social responsibility and inclusive development. Thank you for recognizing the importance of investing in the lives of these children,” he said.
SMEDAN’s Commitment to Disability Inclusion
In his remarks, the Director General of SMEDAN, Mr. Charles Odii, reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“At SMEDAN, we believe in inclusive development. As we continue to empower small businesses, we will ensure that PWDs are not left behind. I have already mandated that 5% of our agency’s programs must be dedicated to supporting persons with disabilities,” Mr. Odii stated.
He reaffirmed SMEDAN’s willingness to collaborate with stakeholders to create more opportunities for persons with disabilities, particularly in entrepreneurship and skill development.
Appreciation and Call for Additional Support
Speaking on behalf of the school, the representative of the principal, Mr. Lawrence Ossai, expressed profound gratitude to Hon. Abba Isa and Mr. Odii for their generosity and support. He acknowledged the impact of the food palliatives and financial assistance on the students’ welfare, particularly during Ramadan.
However, Mr. Ossai highlighted additional needs of the school, including learning aids such as laptops, Orbit Reader/Smart Braille machines, white cane guides, slate and stylus, Perkins braillers, and wheelchairs.
He called on the government, private sector, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the institution further, emphasizing that education remains a vital tool for empowering visually impaired students.
A Renewed Commitment to Inclusive Development
The visit and donations by the SSAP and SMEDAN serve as a strong message of hope and inclusivity for persons with disabilities in Nigeria. As Ramadan continues to inspire acts of kindness, this initiative reinforces the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring that no one, regardless of their physical challenges, is left behind.
Through partnerships like this, the government continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering a society where persons with disabilities are empowered to reach their full potential
