The Shuga limb Foundation Empowerment Project tagged, The Gifted and Talented, was held amidst accolades and appreciation at the Social Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Monday the 30th of May, 2016.

An initiative of the lead singer of the popular Shuga Band and disability advocate, Akiin Shuga, it was organised to celebrate and empower people living with disabilities. The event witnessed an assemblage of accomplished personalities.

They include the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ogun state, Hon. Bimbo Ashiru, wife of the Minister for Power and Housing, Dame Abimbola Fashola, and the Chairperson, Lekki British International School, Ms. Biodun Laja. Others are AIG Tunji Alapini (Rtd), Mr. Wole Okunfulure and artiste, Tosin Martins.

Having sponsored the Children’s Day celebration for People Living with Disability for four consecutive years, Shuga says SLF intends to chart a new course in line with the global focus to promote Inclusion, Access, and Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities.

Shuga who was recently honored as one of the icons of ability in disability by the Lagos State Governor, Akinwummi Ambode, said, “The objective of this worthy cause is to empower, promote and create opportunities for sustainable livelihood and employment for People Living with Disabilities. The plan includes a quarterly monitoring mechanism on sales, expenditures and profit margin for their ventures.”

Speaking further, he shed more light by narrating his own story. “I got my break in life when Alhaji O.K Alli bought me my first set of airbrushes which I used in designing cards. I later got a direct link to the makers of international cards back then in the 1990’s. This was my source of living before I ventured into music business fully,” he recalled.

On his part, Ashiru, gave a clarion call on the government and stakeholders to empower enterprising persons with disabilities (PLDs) who lack the financial capacity to achieve their dreams and excel in their pursuits.

The high point of the event was the presentation of work tools to beneficiaries of the Shuga limb Foundation Empowerment Project. They include a physically challenged cobbler, Matthew David, a physically challenged photographer, Olaitan Keshinro and a speech impaired fashion designer, Jamiu Fatai.   Others are a physically challenged student, Tope Akinleye and a physically challenged Visual Artist, Toma Onu, who paints with her legs.

While Keshinro was handed a professional canon camera and photo printer, Fatai was gifted a fully equipped tailoring set. Akinleye on the other hand, had her tuition and accommodation paid for just as Onu went home with work tools and a three-month tutelage with a visual art instructor.

To round off the occasion, special recognition awards were handed out to media personality, Adenike Oyetunde, Engr. Idiat Amusu, art instructor, Micheal Oluwatosin, a physically challenged cobbler, Olumide Adegbenro and the legendary Cobhams Asuquo.