The Shuga Limb Foundation
Empowerment Project tagged, The Gifted
and Talented, was held amidst accolades and appreciation at The Social
Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently.
An initiative of the lead singer of
the popular Shuga Band and disability advocate, Akiin Shuga, it was organised
to celebrate and empower people living with disabilities. The event witnessed
an assemblage of accomplished personalities including Bimbo Asiru, Ogun State
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Dame Abimbola Fashola, wife of the
Minister ofWorks,Power and Housing; and Ms. Biodun Laja, Chairperson, Lekki
British International School.
Others are AIG Tunji Alapini (retd),
Mr. Wole Okunfulure and artiste, Tosin Martins.
Having sponsored the Children’s Day
celebration for People Living with Disability for four consecutive years, Shuga
says SLF intends to chart a new course in line with the global focus to promote
Inclusion, Access, and Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities.
Shuga, who was recently honored as
one of the icons of ability in disability by the Lagos State Governor,
Akinwunmi Ambode, said the objective of the “worthy cause is to empower,
promote and create opportunities for sustainable livelihood and employment for
People Living with Disabilities.”
According to him, “the plan includes
a quarterly monitoring mechanism on sales, expenditures and profit margin for
their ventures.”
He also narrated his own story. “I
got my break in life when Alhaji O.K. Alli bought me my first set of airbrushes
which I used in designing cards. I later got a direct link to the makers of
International Cards back then in the 1990s. This was my source of living before
I ventured into music business fully.”
Speaking at the event, Ashiru called
on the government and stakeholders to empower enterprising Persons Living with
Disabilities (PLDs) who lack the financial capacity to achieve their dreams and
excel in their pursuits.
The high point of the event was the
presentation of work tools to beneficiaries of the Shuga Limb Foundation
Empowerment Project. They include a physically challenged cobbler, Matthew
David; a physically challenged photographer, Olaitan Keshinro and a speech
impaired fashion designer, Jamiu Fatai.
Others are a physically challenged student,
Tope Akinleye and a physically challenged Visual Artist, Toma Onu, who paints
with her legs.
While Keshinro was handed a
professional Canon camera and photo printer, Fatai was given a fully equipped
tailoring set. Akinleye on the other hand, had her tuition and accommodation
paid for, just as Onu went home with work tools and a three-month tutelage with
a visual art instructor.
To round off the occasion, special
recognition awards were handed out to Adenike Oyetunde, media personality;
Engr. Idiat Amusu, art instructor; Michael Oluwatosin, a physically challenged
cobbler, Olumide Adegbenro and the iconic music producer Cobhams Asuquo.
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