The Founder of Friends of the Deaf International Foundation (FDF), Mrs Funmilola Arike Ogunro, has commended the partnership between MTN Foundation and CleanAce Academy.
Ogunro gave the commendation during a press conference in Lagos announcing an Inclusive Fabricare Empowerment Training Programme for Deaf persons.
She described the initiative as a major step toward promoting economic inclusion and sustainable livelihoods for persons with disabilities.
According to her, the programme will provide 30 Deaf persons with professional training in fabric care services.
She said participants would acquire practical skills, entrepreneurial knowledge and tools needed for economic independence.
Ogunro noted that persons with disabilities possess enormous potential and should not be viewed through the lens of charity.
She said disability inclusion should be seen as an investment in human capital and economic growth.
“Persons with disabilities are not charity cases. They have talents, skills and the capacity to contribute significantly to national development,” she said.
The disability advocate urged more corporate organisations to create inclusive opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
She expressed confidence in the success of the programme and praised CleanAce Academy for its commitment to empowering Deaf persons.
According to her, the academy has consistently demonstrated dedication to vocational training and economic empowerment for members of the Deaf community.
Ogunro also commended MTN Foundation for supporting initiatives that promote inclusion and self-reliance among persons with disabilities.
She said the partnership would help reduce unemployment and improve the economic well-being of beneficiaries.
CleanAce Academy has trained more than six cohorts of Deaf participants through its Inclusive Fabricare Empowerment Programme.
The academy provides employability and entrepreneurial skills within the growing fabric care industry.
Stakeholders at the event included representatives of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA).
Others were officials of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria (ASLIN) and disability inclusion advocates.
Ogunro highlighted the contributions of FDF to disability inclusion and educational access across Nigeria.
She said the foundation had trained more than 6,000 individuals in Basic Sign Language over the past nine years.
The organisation has also supported children with disabilities through advocacy, education and empowerment initiatives.
Ogunro reiterated that sustainable development cannot be achieved when persons with disabilities are left behind.
She urged public and private institutions to strengthen efforts toward building a more inclusive society.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the MTN Foundation-CleanAce Academy partnership would serve as a model for future disability inclusion programmes nationwide.
