By Banji Aluko
A Non Governmental Organization, Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI) has called on youths with disabilities in Nigeria to acquire skills that will make them self-reliant and independent in the society towards a better living.
This was disclosed by the Executive Director of DINABI Nigeria, Mr Olajide Funso at a 3-Day Basic Training on Graphics and Web design organized by DINABI Nigeria at the Teenagers Hall of RCCG Jesus Embassy Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti.
Olajide said being a Computer Engineer himself, he felt secured having skills in graphics and web design, software development and data analysis.
He said further that job opportunities are becoming increasingly hard to come by while the world is gradually going digital especially with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic urging them to take advantage of ICT to become self reliant.
He said the ‘labour market’ could only become ‘favour market’ if only our youths would learn skills that will make them standout during job hunting.
The 3-Day training which was supported by Goglobal Solutions, Inspiration Care Development Centre, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ekiti Province 7 and Oplomania Design was aimed at enhancing the digital skills of youths with disabilities towards increased productivity as well as placing them at an advantage position in the labour market.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Secretary of Ekiti State Office for Disability Affairs, Mrs Fatoba Funmilayo congratulated DINABI for putting up such training together.
She emphasized on the good relationship between her office and DINABI while also urging participants to use the uncommon privilege of such free training to better their lives.
The Pastor in Charge of Ekiti Province 7, Pastor Gabriel Adarabioyo, represented by the APICP (Admin), Pastor Isaac Afolabi said the church is always ready to support youth and disability friendly project that will dissuade persons with disability from alms begging.
He stated that God hates idleness, hence the need to acquire skills that will enhance the chances of our youth in the labour market.
Also, the Executive Director of Inspiration Care Development Centre, Pastor Lawrence Richie challenged the participants to see the IT training as the beginning of a new dawn.
He said the world is fast becoming a global village and only those who are vast in Information Technology will be able to compete favourably.
Experience IT gurus such as Akinyemi Opeyemi of Oplomania and Goglobal Solutions and Mr Funto Ifeoluwa of Inspiration Care Development Centre took the participants through various sessions of training on Web and Graphics Design with practical examples.
At the end of the three-day training, the participants expressed their joy for the opportunity and promised to utilize it judiciously. They also appreciated DINABI Nigeria and their supporters for putting such free training together towards a better society.
