- L-R: The NDDC Director, Youth Sports, Culture and Women Affairs, Mrs Imoni Ahunna; the NDDC Director, Akwa Ibom State Office, Engr. Evong Evong, and the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Government on Persons with Disabilities, Hon. Nene Bassey (back row), during the empowerment programme for Persons Living with Disabilities in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
By Emmanuel Thomas l Wednesday, Sept 09, 2026
UYO — The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has presented empowerment materials and capacity-building resources to Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) in Akwa Ibom State, reaffirming its dedication to fostering social and economic inclusion across the Niger Delta region.
The initiative, held in Uyo to mark the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, targeted youths and women with disabilities to equip them with practical skills, resources, and sustainable pathways to financial independence.
Speaking at the event, the Director of the NDDC Akwa Ibom State Office, Engr. Evong Evong, stressed that physical challenges should never restrict individual ambition.
”Disability should never be a hindrance to achieving one’s dreams or goals. Our aim is to equip youths and women with disabilities with the knowledge, skills, resources, and confidence they need to become economically independent and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” Evong said.
He highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focusing on equal opportunities, community-based advocacy, and economic development for underserved populations.
Reinforcing the intervention’s goals, NDDC Director of Culture and Women Affairs, Mrs. Imoni Ahunna, noted that long-term regional development depends on supporting vulnerable groups.
”A nation or region is truly great not only by what it builds for the strong, but how it carries the vulnerable people along,” Imoni stated. She assured stakeholders that requests made by local representatives—including seamless access to NDDC scholarships and targeted employment opportunities for PWDs—would be forwarded to the commission’s management for consideration.
Expressing gratitude, the Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on PWDs, Hon. Nene Bassey, commended the NDDC for its sustained support of the disabled community in the state.
Beneficiaries also lauded the impact of the outreach. Mr. Godwin Effiong remarked, “With today’s training, I have learned that I have abilities even with a disability,” while Mrs. Helen Jeremiah added that the training provided critical tools to improve her livelihood and boost her self-confidence.
