Leprosy Mission Nigeria, Sweden Launch Project for Leprosy Patients, Disabled, Vulnerable Women
Amidst global warming challenges, the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, in collaboration with Leprosy Mission Sweden has targeted over 2,160 persons affected by leprosy, disability and vulnerable women for sustainable livelihood support across six states in Nigeria. The Kogi state Leprosy Mission Nigeria progamme/ project coordinator, Ruben Isaiah disclosed this on Tuesday during a one -day workshop […]
Amidst global warming challenges, the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, in collaboration with Leprosy Mission Sweden has targeted over 2,160 persons affected by leprosy, disability and vulnerable women for sustainable livelihood support across six states in Nigeria.
The Kogi state Leprosy Mission Nigeria progamme/ project coordinator, Ruben Isaiah disclosed this on Tuesday during a one -day workshop for Project Implemention Advisory Committee (PIAC) of the programme in Lokoja.
According to the project coordinator, the empowerment of the concerned groups through skills acquisition and technology is for the period of three years , starting from 2025 to 2028; covering six states: Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi and Federal Capital territory (FCT) Abuja .
The Kogi state project coordinator who stressed that Kogi state accounts for over 150,000 persons with disability, including Leprosy patients , vulnerable women and youth noted that the figure kept rising irrestitably yearly.
“Disability kept rising in the country due to forces of nature, impact of climate change, accident or disaster and expired drugs, dieting, carelessness as well as economic harships.
“Kogi state alone accounts for over 150, 000 of persons living with disability, including People With Disability (PWD), leprosy patients, vulnerable men, women and youths in the society.
Leprosy is a slow deadly killer disease in the society , Failure to discover or caption it at the early formation stage may lead the patient (sufferer) to permanent disability”, he said .
He stressed that the project with 3-year life span for the six states focuses on climate change adaptation, environmental suitability and adaptive agriculture.
Isaiah says between 2025 to 2028: “Population numbering 1,860, in 20 communities across 6 states to improve resilience to climate change through adaptive farming and resource management by 2028.
“Community women, men farmers , numbering 1,500 will be equipped with skills, on climate resilient, , farming models , disaster risk assessment and prevention”.
“Train 180 women ,youth and persons with disability on digital technology skills to expand their market reach”, .
He added further at least 200 youngmen and women will be trained and on certified agric business and preffered vocations, equipping them with employable skills in Agriculture and formal sectors .
He stressed that the The Leprosy Mission Nigeria ( TLMN) programme team will be receive training from Sweden Mission Council (SMC) on managing climate change, environmental sustainability initiatives, conflict sensitivity and religious tolerance approach to achieve Project’s target.
Also, The TLMN pledged to collaborate with strong civil society groups in the concerned states to influence inclusion rights for people affected by leprosy and disability for the three years programme.
The leprosy coordinator stressed further that most of the leprosy cases in kogi state are being detected at disability stage , urging the state government to embark on sensitisation to reduce its spread and impact among its citizens.
The highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of the Programme Implementation Advisory Committee ( PIAC) headed by Arome Ibrahim Daniel to provide strategic guidelines for Programme Implementation, support coordination among stakeholders.