FCTA Trains Five Visually Impaired

By: Wisdom Acka & Gloria Isah

As the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) announced the successful training of five visually impaired persons, it called on corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to support the development of education in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

FCT Secretary for Education, Sani Dahir El-Katuzu made this call, while receiving the pioneer students of the Nigeria Farmcraft Centre for the Blind, Lagos who were presented to him in his office in Area 11, Garki, Abuja, on Tuesday.

El-Katuzu stated that the need for private sector assistance was due to the fact that government alone could not handle the responsibility of providing education to all Nigerians.

“I will also like to urge the Philanthropists, organizations and well-meaning Nigerians to key into the FCT Education Support Scheme (scholarship), to give the much needed education support to FCT indigenous and indigent pupils and students because government alone can no longer fund education”, he said.

Commenting on some of the handmade items exhibited by five students, the Secretary said: “This creative and original hand crafts showcased by these set of blind students attest to the fact that the FCT Education Support Scheme (ESS) has been largely successful

According to him, “we give hope to the hopeless, and empower indigent FCT indigenes through the FCT Scholarship Board.”

When we invested in these five Velindre students via the Scholarship Board, we were hopeful that the Education Support given to then would empower then to be self-reliant and be able to carter for themselves and their families as well as contribute to national development.

“The training given to these students by the Nigerian Farmcraft Centre has surpassed our expectation, judging by the beautiful items on display today”, he stated.

Director, FCT Scholarship Board, Hannah David, who led the students for the presentation, said that it was the first time the FCT was sending students to the Centre; adding that the Centre offers courses in agricultural science, cosmetology, beauty therapy, computer and auto craft, among others.

Revealing that the duration of the study would last for one year, from April 2022 to April 2023, David prayed that the students be given employment either with the National Council for Arts and Culture, or FCT Council for Arts and Culture or any other appropriate agency.

She commended the students for achieving so much within the shortest period of study.

The Director disclosed that the Board has received notification of admission into the Centre’s 2023/2024 academic session and the forms were available for the public.