Victor Ezeja
THE Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum has said the Federal Government will continue to support people living with disabilities.
Katagum stated that the Buhari led- administration remained passionate about the well-being of people with disabilities.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelShe explained that the commitment of the government had led to creation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, with the aim of identifying their challenges and mainstreaming them for better inclusion in the policies and programmes of the Federal Government.
The minister spoke while receiving a delegation from the Network of Disabled Women, (NDW) led by the National Secretary, Mary Omoyeme Musa.
According to Katagum, the Federal Government allocates 5% of every track of the MSMEs Survival Fund to people living with disabilities in the country.
She said, “A lot is being done by the Federal Government to support people with disabilities.
“The Federal Executive Council ensures that every memo on new office building that comes to the council for consideration accommodates relevant structures to serve people living with disabilities.”
She stated that the ministry had also created a gender unit saddled with the responsibility of addressing issues relating to women in business especially those living with disabilities.
The minister urged the delegation to take advantage of the skills training programmes offered by the ministry through its agencies such as Industrial Training Fund (ITF), and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) among others.
In her remark, Musa, who led the delegation, stated that the purpose of the visit was to introduce the organisation and seek for collaboration with the ministry particularly in areas of mainstreaming into developmental programmes, training in business and trade opportunities, among others.
The Deputy Director, Gender Unit in the ministry, Mrs. Achinam Chioma Fidel, expressed the readiness of the ministry to work with the organisation.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
