Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State government in association with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) have trained 29 virtually impaired persons in digital technology with the aim of empowering, promoting and aiding easy access to employments.
At the graduation ceremony/summit under the theme,“Fostering Digital Inclusion to Empower and Facilitate Employment for Visually Impaired Persons held on Thursday, Dr Detlef Barth, Team Leader, Skills Development for Youth Employment, said the objective of the summit is to foster dialogue, share best practices, and develop concrete action plans to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing employment opportunities in line with the theme of the International Day for Persons with Disability (IDPD) 2023 goals.
He stated that the summit emphasized the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders in creating an inclusive workplace.
Barth said there was need for reasonable adjustments in administrative rules, policies, and procedures to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of sensitizing and providing needed information to employers to help them understand and embrace the value of having a diverse workforce as encouraged by the Nigerian Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.
He added, “The objective of the summit is to foster dialogue, share best practices, and develop concrete action plans to address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing employment opportunities in line with the theme of the International Day for Persons with Disability (IDPD) 2023 Goals. The summit emphasizes the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders in creating an inclusive workplace.”
One of the 29 participants, Imafidon Lucky, head of the Edo State chapter of the National Association for Blind, said he nearly lost his job because of his inability to use the computer.
He said the training he got from the programme equiped him with the skills he needed in his job and now function effectively without the fear of being sacked, while also commending Edo State government and GIZ for the training.
He said, “I am happy to be part of the training which has given me the skills to do my duty better as an administrative officer in my place of work. I nearly lost my job sometimes ago because I wasn’t computer literate. I commend Edo State and GIZ for the training.
Another beneficiary, Michael Obah, said the training was an eye opener for him and commended the organizers for supporting the virtually impaired with the training. He expressed delight that the skill acquired would become useful in their lives.
Some of the graduands who stood out during the training, were presented with laptops by GIZ to aid their job in their various offices while the 21 persons who completed the training were given certificates.