Artists with disabilities showcase works to mark their day

The two-day event tagged “Art Ability in Disability” featured exhibitions of works of arts ranging from craft, beads, paintings, cane weaving and other art forms from people living with disabilities drawn from  special schools in five states of the federation and was organised in conjunction with Helping Hands for Youths and Women Support.Nearly a hundred […]

The two-day event tagged “Art Ability in Disability” featured exhibitions of works of arts ranging from craft, beads, paintings, cane weaving and other art forms from people living with disabilities drawn from  special schools in five states of the federation and was organised in conjunction with Helping Hands for Youths and Women Support.
Nearly a hundred students from five special schools participated in the event and several of them could be seen at the finale weaving baskets, mats, bead vases, and even making shoes. Their works were prominently showcased at the centre.
In her goodwill message at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina said her ministry, being the one primarily concerned with the welfare of Persons with Disability (PWD), has always advocated the inclusion of PWDs in  government and policy making and expressed delight that such an exhibition was holding to boost the talent and confidence of the PWDs.
She also used the opportunity to solicit technical assistance from Korea in order to help make life easier for PWDs. “This will no doubt create an inclusive and accessible environment that will allow persons with special needs to fully participate and contribute to the development of their various communities,” the minister speaking through her representative Malam Idris Muhammed said.
On his part, the Director of the Korean Cultural Centre Mr. Kwon Yong Ik said they initiated the programme last year to coincide with the international day of Persons with Disability and was aimed at giving an “opportunity to disabled students in Nigeria to show off their artistic talents which in turn will invigorate the arts and cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria.”
He also promised that they will continue to develop the programme so that subsequent editions will be better.
The keynote address was delivered by Mrs Omotunde Ellen Thompson who called on the federal government to ensure the signing into law of the bill on the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition)
She also called on PWDs to embrace their disabilities and use them as an added motivation to succeed.
The exhibition featured works from PWD from special schools in Abuja, Plateau, Ondo, Nasarawa and Kaduna state. There was also a special musical performance from students from the school for blind, Jabi, Abuja.