International Day of Persons with Disabilities: WOFAN empowers 300 students with disabilities at Special Centre, Bauchi

By Muhammad Sani Muazu, Bauchi

In celebration of the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD), the Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has trained 300 students with disabilities at the Special Education Centre in Bauchi. The students were equipped with modern tools and resources as part of WOFAN’s efforts to empower persons with disabilities (PWDs) through skills acquisition and vocational training.

This initiative is a component of the WOFAN ICON-2 project, aligned with the Mastercard Foundation’s We Can Work program, which seeks to support 1 million PWDs across seven African countries, including Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. The project contributes to the broader Young Africa Works Strategy of the Foundation, aimed at creating dignified employment opportunities for 30 million young Africans.

During the event, Hajiya Asabe Yahaya Muhammad, the Principal of the Special Education Centre, lauded WOFAN’s transformative interventions.

“WOFAN’s impact on our school has been remarkable. They have trained our students in vocational skills such as tailoring, carpentry, welding, and agriculture. This has enabled them to become self-reliant. They also addressed infrastructure challenges by building over 20 toilets and bathroom facilities, which significantly reduced open defecation, and drilling a borehole near the female hostel to resolve water supply issues,” she said.

Hajiya Asabe also expressed optimism about the repair of the currently non-functional borehole, which had earlier eased water scarcity issues for female students.

She praised WOFAN’s Executive Director, Ambassador Salamatu Garba, for establishing four vocational departments at the school, which have become key drivers of empowerment for the students. “The tailoring department has already proven impactful, as many students started repairing their torn uniforms upon receiving the equipment,” she added.

The Bauchi Team Lead of WOFAN, Shafi’u Haladu Babaji, emphasized the organization’s dedication to inclusivity for PWDs.

“On behalf of Ambassador Salamatu Garba, we are here to ensure these students are equipped with the skills and tools to compete in the job market. Recently, we distributed specialized tricycles to ease transportation challenges and provide means of livelihood for the physically challenged,” he noted.

Highlighting WOFAN’s broader impact, the Royal Father of the Day, Alhaji Lawal Ahmad, the Ward Head of Birshi, commended the organization for its life-changing initiatives.

“The contributions of WOFAN in our community are immense. From vocational training to providing tricycles for transporting farm produce, the impact is visible. As a mark of our appreciation, I conferred the traditional title of Jaruma Birshi on Dr. Salamatu Garba,” he announced.

Representing the Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Jamila Muhammad Dahiru, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Ali Babayo Gamawa, praised WOFAN’s efforts and called on other organizations to emulate their noble gesture.

“This government is committed to providing quality education for students with special needs, and WOFAN’s support complements these efforts,” he said.

The event featured the distribution of high-quality vocational tools, including sewing machines, carpentry equipment, and welding instruments. Sani Umar, a welding instructor, highlighted the value of the provided materials, such as filing machines, welding goggles, pliers, and drilling machines.

This intervention underscores WOFAN’s commitment to empowering PWDs by providing them with the tools and training needed to lead independent and dignified lives. It also serves as a model of inclusive development, bridging gaps and creating meaningful opportunities for persons with disabilities.