Disability is 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 society towards a better living.
The Executive Director of DINABI Nigeria, Mr Olajide Funso, made the statement 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.
Mr Olajide said that he felt secure having graphics and web design skills, software development, and data analysis as a computer engineer.
He further noted 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.
“The ‘labour market’ can only become a ‘favour market’ if our youths learn skills to make them stand out during job hunting.”
The 3-Day training 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 in an advantageous position in the labour market.
During his opening remark, the Executive Secretary of Ekiti State Office for Disability Affairs, Mrs Fatoba Funmilayo, congratulated DINABI for putting such training together.
Mrs Funmilayo emphasized the good relationship between her office and DINABI while also urging participants to use the unique privilege of such free training to better their lives.
She urged them to transform the knowledge acquired to both individual and general sustainable development.
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 a disability-friendly project that will dissuade persons with disabilities 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. He said the era of carrying certificates around without corresponding skill is over.
He urged the participants to take advantage of the free training to build their future.
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.
Pastor Richie said the world is fast becoming a global village, and only those vast in Information Technology will be able to compete favourably.
He further noted that they had organized several leaderships and entrepreneurial training for youths and persons with disabilities.
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 training sessions 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.