The Disability Empowerment Foundation (DEF), a non-profit organisation dedicated to the uplifting of the disabled in society has donated a series of Skills Acquisition equipment to the Ondo State Government for the benefit of the School for the Physically and Mentally Challenged, Oke-Igbo.

Receiving the equipment presented by the President of the Foundation, Rev (Dr) Olutayo Shodipo and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Victor Olumekun, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Pastor Femi Agagu expressed the appreciation of the Ondo State Government to the Foundation for its humanitarian gesture and commended public-spirited individuals and Foundations to emulate the initiative of the DEF.

The Chairman of DEF Board of Trustees, Prof Victor Olumekun intimated the gathering of the reasons why the Oke-Igbo School was chosen and provided insight into how the project was implemented after a visit to the institution early in the year.

In his speech, the President of the DEF, Rev (Dr) Olutayo Shodipo, traced the genesis of the Foundation and promised to assist the efforts of the government in any way possible in the realisation of its goals in rehabilitating our people who are challenged in one way or the other.

The President of the Foundation said its mission includes the promotion of the status of people with special needs and their inclusion in society; enhancing their ability to become autonomous, and empowering them to become self-reliant. He informed the gathering that the Foundation has been partnering with faith-based institutions and governments in other states at different levels to make life meaningful for people with disabilities and build in them hope and ability. He thereafter informed the Commissioner that a special programme was being planned for Ondo State in 2024 and requested collaboration in making the programme a reality.

In his reaction, the Honourable Commissioner, Pastor Olufemi Agagu, FNIVS, says the Ondo State Government is passionate about the welfare of the physically and mentally impaired children in the state. While thanking the Foundation for the wonderful gesture, the Commissioner said the Arakunrin Akeredolu's administration has shown a lot of of inspiration and commitment to the welfare of people with special needs in the state. While noting that all the five schools for children with special needs in the state have skills acquisition centres where the children could learn various skills and trades, the Commissioner added that the government has been consistent in releasing funds monthly for the well-being of the children. He assured the Foundation that the donated equipment would be used for the empowerment of the pupils towards making them useful to themselves and society.

Items donated to the ministry include sewing machines, laptop computers and printer as well as complete equipment for barbing.