By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has empowered one hundred Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) with entrepreneurship training and business registration, as part of its commitment to economic inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.
The one-day programme, held at Alausa, Ikeja, was themed “Building Sustainable Enterprises: Entrepreneurship Growth and Business Registration for Persons with Disabilities.”
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of LASODA, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde Lawal, urged participants to maximise the opportunity provided through the training and free business registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“Business registration improves credibility, enhances financial inclusion and gives easier access to grants and funding,” she said.
Mrs Lawal explained that the initiative was aimed at equipping PWDs with practical business skills that would enable them to establish sustainable enterprises, promote self-reliance and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
She noted that registered businesses could endure beyond their founders if properly structured and managed, adding that tax compliance begins with business registration.
“Government will appreciate Persons with Disabilities who are paying taxes, and that journey starts with registering your business,” she stated.
According to her, LASODA introduced business registration and financial filing for PWDs after observing that many were excluded from economic opportunities due to lack of formal business structures.
“We noticed that many were edged out of opportunities, so we decided to bridge that gap by explaining why business registration is important, not only for them but for others who may depend on them,” Mrs Lawal said.
She further emphasised the importance of proper bookkeeping and financial records, noting that this would enable PWDs to benefit from various grant opportunities available through the agency and government.
The General Manager said that the beneficiaries were selected from disability clusters across Lagos State, explaining that LASODA works closely with the clusters to identify serious entrepreneurs who have not benefited from previous programmes.
She also encouraged beneficiaries to distinguish their businesses through quality products, excellence and attractive packaging to remain competitive.
Oguntope Rasheedat, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her delight at the initiative, saying it would significantly improve her business and boost her confidence to expand.
“This will help my business grow and give me the confidence to take it forward. More people will now know about my products,” she said.
She urged other Persons with Disabilities to take full advantage of the free opportunity provided by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs.
Mrs Kehinde Raji, an Aso Oke weaver who also produces liquid soap, described the registration as a long-awaited opportunity.
“I have always wanted to register my business with the Corporate Affairs Commission, but I know how expensive it is to do it on my own,” she said.
Mrs Raji commended LASODA for the gesture, adding that the registration would give her access to financial opportunities, including grants from government agencies.
Ariyibi Suleiman, a cooking gas dealer, said the business registration would strengthen and formalise his enterprise.
“This registration will improve my business and open doors to loans and grants from banks, government and private organisations,” he said.
He also advised other Persons with Disabilities who are into entrepreneurship to always take advantage of similar empowerment programmes.
Meanwhile, Mrs Suliat Kamaldeen, a beneficiary of the first batch in 2024, said the training and capacity-building programme had significantly transformed her business.
“The training has impacted my business greatly because I now apply what I learnt, especially in bookkeeping and savings,” she said.
She encouraged her peers to remain consistent in their businesses, maintain quality products and ensure proper packaging to sustain customer loyalty.
The programme featured discussions on several topics, including the new tax law, which was delivered by Mrs Adetutu Ijasan.
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