Project Enable Africa, known for the digital empowerment and human rights advocacy for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria recently unveiled a new program targeted at enhancing businesses led by Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
The program which is supported by the Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, commenced on Saturday with an orientation session for participants. The program is designed to provide business support to at least 50 PWDs-led businesses in Nigeria.
The goal of the Business Support program is to promote the access of entrepreneurs with disabilities to training content, tools, resources and mentorship necessary to scale their businesses, especially in the post-COVID era.
The Business Support Training is the first of its kind, in Nigeria, targeted at providing inclusive business support content and resources for the community of persons with
disabilities.
During the orientation which was held on Saturday, 10th October, The Lead Faculty, Mr Kola Olugbodi welcomed participants warmly and encouraged them to make the best of the training and all its modules. “I urge you all to be restive in your approach to life and personal success, this will help to make you self-reliant and not have to necessarily depend on others because of your disability. I have no doubt that this program will help
advance your business goals as long as you are willing to make the best of it.”
According to Mr Olusola Owonikoko, the Executive Director of the organisation, “the pandemic has disrupted many aspects of daily lives, leading to increased unemployment. Data from the Global Disability Inclusion Survey as shown that 51% of people with a disability have either lost their jobs, been laid off, or believe they will lose their job in the next 90 days, compared to 28% of those without a disability.”
“We realized that from our interactions with the disability community, most especially through our just concluded food drive project, that one of the most sustainable supports that can be given to Persons With Disabilities is to provide specific knowledge-driven assistance required to scale businesses and ensure sustainable growth and
profitability.”
“We are confident that we will be able to achieve this lofty goal by providing adequate knowledge in areas such as business mentorship, access to market, funding linkage, legal counsel, the need for digitalization and financial management.”
“We are indeed grateful to Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation for supporting this project. With their support, participants will have ample opportunity to re-invent their businesses and help remain profitable despite the global pandemic”.
