Delta Govt Trains 65 Physically-Challenged Persons

At least 65 physically-
challenged persons in Delta have benefited from the state government’s community-based vocational rehabilitation programme in the last one year.
The State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Chief Betty Efekodha, told newsmen in Asaba that the persons were trained in various skills of their choice in their localities.
Efekodha said that 40 of them were trained in bead making, hair dressing, tailoring and hair cutting, among others.
She also explained that 20 of the 40 had been given starter packs which included sewing machines, hair dryers, welding machines and computers to enable them to start businesses.
The Commissioner also said that the 25 visually-impaired persons among them were sponsored for training at the Nigerian Farm Craft Centre for the Blind in Lagos.
Efekodha explained that the visually-impaired persons were also trained in fish farming, bead making, poultry, computer and soap making.
She said that 15 of them persons had been empowered with various starter packs after the three-month training programme.
“Apart from the 15 persons who have been empowered already, four others have also been absorbed into the state civil service.
“More persons will be employed as soon as there is opportunity to do so,’’ she added.
Efekodha said the essence of the programme was to enable them to set up their own businesses and be useful to themselves and the society at large.
She noted that the beneficiaries could transfer the skills to other persons, thereby reducing youth unemployment.