By Egufe Yafugborhi

UYO – DUDU Foundation, backed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will in the next two days groom 1000 People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) in Akwa Ibom state on livelihood skills with startup support to give them financial freedom.

At the flag-off of the training Wednesday in Ikot Ekpene, Founder of Dudu Foundation, Ms. Edu Offong, informed that the foundation in past five years has met needs of many people through cash and material supports to vulnerable households in the region.

She asserted, “This foundation is committed to bettering lives, irrespective of gender or social standing. Today marks another milestone, not just for the foundation, but for every Nigerian who believes in equity, inclusion, and social justice. 

“For us, true development is measured not only by roads, bridges and industries but also by how much we uplift the most vulnerable among us.”

The collaboration with the NDDC, she noted, proves that when government institutions and civil society work hand in hand, they can create meaningful and lasting impact.

“Together, let us build a Nigeria where no one is left behind, where inclusion is not a privilege but a right, where every citizen regardless of ability have the chance to fulfil their God-given potential”, she stressed.

According to her, the Foundation has supported over 5000 persons since inception and this year, out of over 2000 registered persons, the foundation would trim final beneficiaries to 1000 through merit based selection due to limited resources.

Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director, NDDC, represented by, Mrs. Olako Obinna, said the foundation’s empowerment focus was in line with the Commission’s core mandate of improving living standards of the people of the Niger Delta region. 

She assured that the Commission would continue to partner and collaborate with good spirited individuals and organisations with genuine initiatives for uplifting lives in the region.

The empowerment opportunity covers skills and vocations including soap, detergent production, presentation of back to school kits for students in select public and private schools as well as presentation of wheelchairs, crutches and POS machines to beneficiaries who also received medicare.

Some beneficiaries, Emmanuel Augustine, Michael Sunday Udo among others lauded the Foundation and NDDC for the opportunity, they noted, has given them sense of belonging, calling on government, corporate organisations and opportune individuals to emulate the gesture.

Mrs. Nene Bassey, Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on PLWD, Mr. Anietie Jackson, President, Akwa Ibom PLWD and Sir. Nkereuwem Akpabio also graced the occasion to offer moral support and gratitude to the Foundation.