Star Children Development Initiative (SCDI) on Saturday 11th of June, 2022 organized arts and craft exhibition for persons with disabilities in Oyo State.
The programme which was tagged “Mini Executive Trade Fair, Creating A Business Without Walls for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria” brought together some government officials and persons with disabilities who displayed different kinds of products such as clothes, shoes, confectioneries, cosmetics, insecticides, makeshift ramps and many others.
The Executive Director of SCDI, Mrs Grace Alexander said that there are so much talents among persons with disabilities untapped because there are a lot of barriers hindering them from showcasing their talent and what SCDI is doing is one of the ways of removing the barriers.
Speaking further, she said that people used to view disability from the culturally perceptive which comes with stereotype and stigma and they see persons with disabilities as people who will amount to nothing.
What we are doing is to showcase those talents, capabilities inherent in PWDs so that we showcase the world what they can and disabuse the mind of those who associate disability to failure” she added.
Ayodele Adekanbi, the Executive Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State on Disability Matter, said that the government and the media have a role to play on issues of PWDs. Government at all levels should come up with policies that will affect PWDs positively in every area (education, employment, economy, health etc).
“In every area, they should give PWDs their own quota, government need to do more for PWDs”
He called on NGOs, Corporate Organizations, individuals to also come and assist PWDs because government effort cannot enough to solve all the problems of PWDs. If others can emulate what SCDI has done, the awareness will be so much and the impact will be far-reaching.
Alhaji Engr. Prof. S.A.Olagoke, said that the media have a role to playing especially in sensitizing the society on the fact that there must be no stigmatization, no marginalization, and the society should accept PWDs as part of the society and also on equal basis with other people.
Hon. Olufemi Josiah, S.A. Community Relations suggested that the Trade fair should go beyond just an occasion exhibition, daily market should be created where people can go every day in order to sustain the production.
MR HAKEEM AGBAJE, MANAGING PARTNER AGBAJE AGBAJE & CO LEGAL PRACTITIONERS & NOTARY PUBLIC, said that having a disability is not the end of the world, it does not make one less human, so the society should not see PWDs are nuisance and people that is disturbing them.
Raheem Olatunji Yusuff, Executive Director, YUTEX Enterprises and a person with disability said that there is ability in disability so he urged the public to encourage PWDs who are into creative industry.
Mariam Odusoga, an Exhibitor advised public to look beyond their disability because it affected one part of their body, other parts are still there and very useful to do a lot for them.
Mr. Murtala, an exhibitor advised government should organize exhibition for PWDs and make arrangement to ensure that all their products were bought to encourage them and it will also be to the advantage of government and the society at large.
