Osun State Government has empowered 250 persons living with disabilities with Point-of-Sale machines to mark the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The programme, organised by the Osun Health Insurance Agency in collaboration with the Bureau of Persons Living With Disabilities, was held on Wednesday in Osogbo.
Addressing the gathering, the Wife of the Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Olusola Adewusi, described persons with disabilities as resilient individuals with special abilities.
She urged them to remain determined and not allow their disabilities to hinder their progress or limit their dreams.
Adewusi encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of their talents and the empowerment support provided by the state government.
She also appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke for consistently supporting the disability community and urged the beneficiaries to love one another.
Speaking with newsmen, The Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), Dr Rasaq Akindele, said the programme was organised to recognise the importance of persons with disabilities in society.
He stated that the PoS empowerment initiative was introduced to discourage street begging and promote financial independence among the beneficiaries.
Akindele explained that the government had previously enrolled all persons with disabilities into the state health insurance scheme free of charge and provided mobility aids such as wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks and hearing aids.
He added that more support would soon be extended to beneficiaries who may not be able to operate PoS machines.
Also speaking, The Executive Secretary, Bureau of Persons Living With Disabilities, Princes Ayobami Oyewumi Oyetunde described the programme as successful and encouraging for the disability community in the state.
He stated that the initiative would enable the beneficiaries to generate income and improve their welfare.
Oyetunde noted that each of the 250 beneficiaries would receive a PoS machine and a cash grant of N10,000 to begin the business.
He appealed to persons with disabilities to remain focused, support one another and maintain strong faith as more empowerment programmes would be introduced next year.
In his own words, the Chief Whip of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Osun State, Saka Taofeeq, praised Governor Ademola Adeleke for prioritising the welfare of the disability community, noting that the governor’s approval and signing of the Osun Disability Discrimination Bill into law has significantly improved their lives.
He said the uniqueness of this year’s International Day of Persons With Disabilities lies in how able-bodied individuals show love and support to persons with disabilities, adding that PWDs in Osun and across the world should focus on their abilities and potentials rather than limitations.
The event which featured medical outreach, presentation of awards, drew the presence of government officials, security agencies and hundreds of persons with disabilities from various parts of the state.
