By Ebun Sessou

FOR Afeez Salami, disability cannot be an impediment to the actualisation of his God-given talents. The 21- year-old, who is physically challenged, is convinced that fulfilling his aspirations in life is the only instrument for his dry bone to live again.

Although Salami presently sells cement to eke out a living, he believes that actualising his destiny lies in becoming a Fine Artist. No wonder he enrolled at the Academy for Innovative Art Technology, ACIATECH to learn Arts and Crafts. The Academy is the brainchild of Gani Adams Foundation, GAF, set up by the leader of O’dua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams. Salami who is a beneficiary of the Otunba Gani Adams Art Scholarship, OGAAS, was among the 40 persons who recently graduated from the Academy.

Afeez Salami

Speaking to Vanguard Metro, VM, the 21-year-old who uses walking sticks as aid, said he is in no way deterred by his deformity which was caused by an accident later in his life.

Great future

“I was not born with disability; it was due to an accident I had. But then, I have been coping with it. Some people feel that I should be ashamed of myself but I am not. Rather, I see every opportunity as an avenue to showcase myself. I look at myself as someone who has a great future, hence I always encourage myself. I believe it is not the purpose of God for me to be a beggar on the streets. My family members are also instrumental to my achievement,” he said.

Sounding very positive, Salami declared: “The fact that I was not born with this deformity means that I will not remain in this condition forever.”

Narrating how he got to know about the scholarship, he said: “I heard the advert jingle on radio and I applied. Fortunately, I was selected for the training. It was a-six-month training and I thank God that I was given the chance. Back in secondary school, I had developed interest in drawing and since then, I never gave up on my dream. In the secondary school where I attended, there was no Fine Arts department but I still followed my heart and I believed that I will make it. Today, I am a qualified Artist,” Salami, who was overwhelmed with joy, said.

Continuing, he said: “I believe there is room for improvement because I want to become a professional Artist. There is need for me acquire more knowledge. I do not see my present disability as an obstacle. The only challenge is moving around to get materials for my artwork but I believe I can do it,” he said .

Another graduand, Aderoju Sonibare, 19, said he travelled from Ikorodu to Sango Ota three times a week in order to be part of the training.

“I hope to become a professional Artist and that is why I am taking a step further to study Fine Arts in the university,” he said.

Speaking on the empowerment programme,the Founder Gani Adams Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams, said it was organised to reduce poverty and unemployment in the country.

He explained that empowerment of the physically challenged, mass literacy campaign and sports development are major priorities of the Foundation.

The Foundation he launched during his 33rd birthday, is aimed at alleviating poverty and helping the less privilege and empowering them to be productive.

“Helping others, especially the most vulnerable in the society can bring about positive changes and the neglect of such group of people can pose a real threat and danger to a society. Part of the problem we have in the society such as terrorism and kidnapping are borne out of this neglect and uncaring attitude by the government and the citizenry in general. The issue of poverty and help for the less -privileged cannot be left in the hands of government alone but it is the duty of everyone to help,” he added.

Fuji Artiste, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma admonished the beneficiaries of the scheme to make use of the opportunity by applying for the second phase of the scholarship.