Persons with disabilities in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, on Thursday, December 18, 2025, received business and mobility support during an Outreach and Empowerment Programme organized by The Association for the Physically Challenged – Ago Iwoye.
The event, held at Onabamiro Compound, brought together traditional rulers, government officials, security agencies, community leaders, and development partners to promote inclusion and economic independence for persons with disabilities.
Representing the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, the Liwo of Igan said disability should never be equated with inability, describing the empowerment items as investments meant to improve livelihoods and restore dignity. He assured beneficiaries of continued support from the palace.
Chairman of the Ago Iwoye Central Development Council (ACDC), Prof. Olukayode Taiwo, described exclusion as the major challenge facing persons with disabilities and pledged that future community projects would be accessible and inclusive.
Also speaking, Officer Rasaki Tajudeen of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) assured participants of the agency’s commitment to protecting the rights and safety of persons with disabilities, urging them to remain security conscious.
The Deputy Director of Community and Social Services, Mrs. Adesanya, advised beneficiaries to use the items productively, noting that sustainable empowerment requires discipline and long-term planning.
Chairman of the Association, Mr. Arije Kamoru, said the programme was aimed at promoting self-reliance among members, while the Association’s Coordinator, Mr. Ayodele Awobona, acknowledged support from Lifegate Foundation and Theseabilities Foundation, as well as contributions from local elites.
Items distributed included freezers, generators, grinding machines, wheelchairs, business wares, mobile phones, and cash support, while all members received festive food packages.
The programme also highlighted the needs of Toheed Adebanjo, a 12-year-old pupil requiring a wheelchair, and celebrated the academic excellence of Alaba Kazeem, a 200-level Accounting student with a CGPA of 4.88.
The Outreach and Empowerment Programme was more than an event, it was a statement of dignity, inclusion, and collective responsibility. It reaffirmed that when communities, leaders, and institutions stand together, persons with disabilities can thrive, contribute meaningfully, and live fulfilled lives. As the association looks ahead, the success of this programme stands as a powerful reminder that empowerment is not charity, but a pathway to independence, hope, and shared prosperity.
