By Bashir Hassan
The Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities has distributed food items and agricultural inputs to selected Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the state to strengthen livelihoods, promote self-reliance and support their participation in socio-economic development.
Speaking at the exercise, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr. Bashir Adam Rishi, commended the Agency’s Executive Secretary, Hon. Brisca Joram Aaron, for advancing the welfare and empowerment of PWDs.
He urged beneficiaries to use the items judiciously, saying the intervention would improve their livelihoods and enable them to contribute to their communities.
He also thanked Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for creating an enabling environment for PWDs to thrive.
Earlier speaking, Hon. Brisca Aaron described the agricultural inputs distributed to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as more than an empowerment exercise, but a demonstration of the state government's commitment to leaving no one behind.
She said PWDs are increasingly recognised not as objects of pity, but as individuals with the capacity, talent and potential to contribute to Bauchi's development, noting that the support would provide productive tools, strengthen livelihoods and promote self-reliance.
She thanked Governor Bala Mohammed for his inclusive policies, particularly the signing into law of the Bauchi State Commission for Persons with Disabilities Act which upgraded the Agency to a Commission, describing it as a landmark for protecting the rights and welfare of PWDs.
Aaron also commended the governor for approving employment slots for PWDs in the recent recruitment exercise, which has given beneficiaries renewed hope and dignity, and for approving the complete renovation of the Agency's headquarters to provide a more accessible and befitting environment.
Aaron further acknowledged the Bauchi State Government and the ACRESAL Project for approving Skill Acquisition Centres for PWDs across the 20 LGAs, and thanked the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for its consistent support including food items.
She also appreciated the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Bauchi First Lady, Hajiya Dr. Aisha Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for including PWDs in their empowerment programmes, particularly through the Al-Muhibbah Foundation which has secured admissions for PWDs at Al-Muhibbah Open University.
She assured that inclusion efforts would continue, while thanking the Agency's Board, Management, MDAs and development partners for building a Bauchi where disability is not a barrier.
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