Jobberman, Mastercard Foundation empowers PWDs in Ibadan

Jobberman Nigeria, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, over the weekend, championed a diversity and inclusion forum to empower Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The goal of the forum was to create a supportive space where participants can learn from industry experts, connect with other entrepreneurs and job seekers, and pick up practical tips and strategies to boost their career and business.

With the theme ‘Empowered to Achieve More’, the forum, which held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI), served as an avenue for Jobberman to help with their goal to decreasing unemployment rate in Nigeria, connecting qualified candidates to quality jobs and also training talent with the right skills and competencies needed in their chosen careers.

In his introductory note, Head of Partnerships, Jobberman Nigeria, Ahmed Alaga, spoke on the role of Jobberman in helping people get the right employment goals.

He said: “As an organisation we are in the talent space and young people living with disabilities cannot be left out of that. We have a mandate to address some issues related to unemployment and as a country with a large population we have a high rate of unemployment. We have been speaking with employers for about 15 years, and we want to fill the gap of what employers want what young people have.

“And as you know after graduating from the university, what you know might have become extinct after few years, so we are constantly getting that feedback and as a result of that, we have decided to empower young people within the ages of 18 to 45 by providing upskilling services that puts them right in the front door.

“We have decided to focus on PWDs because of the mandate our organisation has. We have decided to empower about 200,000 young people with disabilities. This is a critical concern because in the talent space, there isn’t much conversation about PWDs that can address most of the challenges they face at work or getting into jobs or the social construct around the stigma of a young person who is living with disability trying to gain employment.

“All of Jobberman’s programmes focus on inclusivity especially women, IDPs, and now PWDs. Our mandate is to look deeper into the future and find out what we can do better and we know that they are little steps that we can take before we get to that future.”

Delivering the keynote address, the Director-General, Oyo State agency for PWD, Adekanmbi Ayodele, appreciated the efforts of Jobberman in helping PWDs achieve their employment goals.

According to him, “This is a very nice event and I have been thinking so much about how to help our people and prepare them for public interviews and interaction. So I must commend Jobberman for this initiative.

“As an agency and pioneer DG, I have been going around to gather ideas, so this comes as a welcome development and a good idea that will support us to access employment out there. Our law states that all the privates sector must employ at least 5 per cent of persons with disabilities in the workforce. So, I applaud this initiative.

“This has given me the belief that NGOs and organisations like Jobberman are ready to back government in the area of employment.”

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Toyin Balogun, who was represented by Mr Olujimi Diya, affirmed Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to the PWDs community in Oyo State.

According to Balogun, the Makinde-led administration is running an all-inclusive government where every member of the public enjoys equal rights.

One of the highlights of the forum was the panel discussions by the speakers to discuss the challenges PWDs face.

The panel speakers include: Mr. Olukoya James Kayode; Disability Affairs Administrator and experienced mentor to PWDs, Ms Victoria Otta; a tech professional with insight on how PWDs can leverage technology for business, Fakunle Bukola; a successful PWD entrepreneur/mentor to new PWD business owners.