Project Enable Africa and the Nigerian Association of the Blind(NAB) embarked on a two-day distribution of food packs to over 900 households of persons living with disabilities in Lagos, Abuja and Portharcourt.
The food drive programme was supported by Access Bank and Nigerian Business Disability Network(NBDN).
The initiative commenced in Lagos state on Wednesday, February 23, with the first batch of 150 beneficiaries receiving food packs at Surulere. Another 150 beneficiaries were reached with the food packs at Ikorodu on Thursday, February 24.
The Nigeria Business Disability Network is an employer–led platform which aims to foster disability inclusion practices and policies in the workplace, build disability confidence of employers and build job readiness of people with disabilities. The network is part of the Global Business Disability Network of the International Labour Organisation, and is currently chaired by Access Bank Plc. The platform was facilitated by Sightsavers Nigeria through the Inclusion Works program supported by FDCO.
The aim of the food drive initiative is to support persons with disabilities and their families with food items that can help save some cost for other household expenditures. The initiative is implemented by Project Enable Africa and the National Association of the Blind, both members of the Nigerian Business Disability Network.
Advocacy lead for Project Enable Africa, Ademibolanle noted that Access bank has been of great help to persons with disabilities.
“They are not just a Banking system but an organization that cares and wants a better life for persons with disabilities. As we all know, persons with disabilities are the most vulnerable in our society, and Project Enable Africa is an organization that is trying her best to ensure persons with disabilities in Nigeria have a better life,” she said.
She stated that this is the first batch of the program and it will be held in two more cities, Port Harcourt and Abuja.
While explaining the drive behind the food outreach to persons with disabilities, she added, “when COVID-19 came, there was hunger in the land and the economic situation is yet to be stabilized. The goal of this project is to make people smile because when food is fixed in human’s life, every other thing will fall in place”.
The beneficiaires expressed their gratitude to the Nigeria Business Disability Network, Access Bank Plc and all the organisations funding the initiative.
Christiana, a beneficiary and secretary of NAB in the program said, “the food came at the right time and we were able to benefit from it. We appreciate the organizers and urge organizations to do more by checking up on the needy both people with disabilities or not”.
Other beneficiaries also expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the organizers and supporters of the food drive.
According to Ademibolanle, being the first outreach to persons living with disabilities, Project Enable Africa and NAB has touched the hearts of the persons with disability by ensuring they leave smiles on their faces.
By Adenike Fagbemi
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