LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin By Oyebola Owolabi
Lagos State government, through the Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), has registered the businesses of 100 Persons with Disability (PWD) free, and presented Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) certificates to them.
This, the agency said, is to create sustainable and successful business environment for the disability community.
General Manager of LASODA, Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, at a two-day empowerment training for disabilities clusters, said the program was designed to equip PWDs with essential skills to establish their business, foster economic independence and allow them contribute to the economic growth.
Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal, represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Omolade Shonubi, noted that the theme of the programme, ‘Promoting Inclusive Business: Enhancing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in Lagos’, was apt. She described it as a way to break stereotypes and elevate the standards of businesses run by the PWDs.
According to her, the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to creating policies that ensure inclusion and equal rights for PWDs, including access to vocational training, self-employment opportunities and other pathways to economic empowerment.
She added: “Business registration enhances credibility with customers, promotes financial inclusion, so we usually encourage self-employed PWDs to register their businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“Thus, the programme is to empower them in different ways because we want them to be in business so we can eliminate the idea of begging. We have registered 100 businesses run by PWDs, and we are issuing them the certificates as well, teaching them how to be successful in their businesses.”
The LASODA boss said the agency is starting with 100 beneficiaries, and intends to increase the numbers. She also said the will be monitored and activated with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSTEF) and Commercial Banks that can give soft loans and grants.
Besides the presentation of the CAC certificates, beneficiaries were also offered training in Entrepreneurship Business Development, Taxation, Branding, and Record-keeping.
