By Muhammad Amaan
The Kano State Government said it would provide empowerment package for 1,500 Persons Living with Disabilities across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.
The Director of the Department of Persons with Disabilities at the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr Binta Bala, disclosed this when she received on courtesy call the Coordinator of the Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI), Aftahana Dahiru Sarina, alongside Mallam Salisu Yusuf, a member of the V-PeSDI Coordination Group.
She revealed that several memoranda had been submitted to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, which include assistive devices for visually impaired students in Tudun Maliki, enumeration of Persons with Disabilities and other critical interventions.
Dr Binta added that Governor Yusuf’s strong commitment to the establishment of the Kano State Commission for Persons with Disabilities informed his decision to implement the programmes through the Commission once it becomes operational, thereby enabling it to effectively fulfil its mandate and responsibilities.
In another development, the director emphasised the urgent need for the establishment of a rehabilitation centre for spinal cord injury survivors in the state.
She revealed that, through the Department’s advocacy efforts, a budget code has already been assigned for the project and that millions of naira have been earmarked for the establishment of the said specialized rehabilitation centre for spinal cord injury patients.
Binta further expressed concern over the increasing number of spinal cord injury cases in the state and noted that the only specialized rehabilitation centre currently available in Nigeria is located in Lagos State.
Earlier, Aftahana Sarina said the advocacy viist was part of its commitment to promoting the welfare, inclusion, and development of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kano State.
He explained that the visit was aimed at reviewing progress on the Department’s 2026 work plan and exploring opportunities for collaboration to advance the rights, inclusion, and well-being of Persons with Disabilities across the state.
He reaffirmed V-PeSDI’s commitment to supporting advocacy efforts on these critical issues and pledged to continue engaging and collaborating with relevant stakeholders to facilitate the establishment and implementation of these initiatives for the benefit of Persons with Disabilities in Kano State.
