By Omobonike Adebayo. Development Communications Network in collaboration with Project Enable Africa and DevComs Radio under its Employing of Young Persons with Disabilities program, recently held the graduation ceremony for the first cohort in the online radio production and packaging training as a contribution to the workplace and social inclusion of PWDs. The participants (People with Disabilities) were trained for two months, after which they were placed on 3months internship to enable them put into practice what they had learned and hone their skills.

The Head of Operations, Development Communications Network, Mr Akinlolu Akinpelumi in his opening speech stated that the organization is very proud to be promoting the social and workplace inclusion of PWDs. “DevComs is proud to see that the collaboration with Project Enable Africa has yielded a positive result. DevComs is now like a home to our PWDs beneficiaries and our door is always open for you to come in” Akinpelumi, while recalling his personal experience with the PWDs during the training and internship, said “the society is gradually becoming conscious of the needs of PWDs. You know it is really nice to see an on-coming vehicle wait to allow a PWD cross the road or even an ‘agbero’ at the bus park could wave down a bus while also ensuring ease of entry for a PWD into the bus”

Speaking further at the graduation ceremony, Mr Micheal Ojediran, program officer and representative of Project Enable Africa, in his goodwill, appreciated DevComs for the partnership effort and acceptance of the PWDs for training and internship. “We appreciate what the organization is doing towards building an inclusive society. DevComs has been our run to organization and we do not underestimate your position in the media space. We also look forward for more partnership in the coming year” David Uzodinma, who was in the media space before he lost his sight in 2018 and gave up hope on remaining a photographer and videographer, appreciated DevComs for the opportunity. He said “the training has opened up my mind and eyes to see a new world entirely.After the radio training, I took it a step further to do a training on voice-over artistry and voice acting and also had to do audio editing classes for visually impaired using screen reader. I now have my own program which I title ‘disability in focus”

Omolara Bakare is also one of the beneficiaries of the training who despite her disability, she still commutes from Ikorodu to Surulere to attend the training and participate in the internship. When asked about her feedback from the training, she said “the training has brought out something in me which I could not discover before the training. The organization really supported us during the program. Now I see myself as a radio presenter and I anchor a Yoruba show “Awon eni eyara penija”. Mrs Bukola George, Public Health Expert and consultant, encouraged “the graduants to explore the media space more because the media plays a pivotal role in the society. Most especially since the world has become a global village. It helps to shape people’s thoughts and decisions.