OFORDIS Foundation trains, empowers female athletes with disabilities in Kwara

The three-day programme aimed at transforming the lives of female athletes with disabilities in Kwara State ended at the Conference Room of the Kwara Football Academy on Saturday, with the 15 participants rewarded with start up capitals and starter parks.

Tagged ‘EmpowerHer Kitchen: Transforming the Lives of Female Athletes with Disabilities in Kwara State’ the initiative was packaged by OFORDIS Foundation.

The initiative was in collaboration with the Kwara State Sports Commission, Teworh Rockstar Academy, and Classic Chops with Asnabel, as female athletes with disabilities were trained on the skills for life and livelihood.

The innovative initiative empowered 15 female athletes through intensive, hands-on training in small food businesses, entrepreneurship, branding, and business registration support.

In the message of the Commissioner for Social Development, Dr Mariam Nnafatima Imam, delivered by the Director, Rehabilitation at the Ministry, Ikupolati Taiye, she commended the convener, and equally thank sponsors and partners, for making it happen.

While declaring the seminar open, the Director of Sports, Mallam Ibrahim Bako charged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity, and learn the skills that will make their lives meaningful.

He also urged other NGOs and philanthropists to assist in empowering people with special needs.

Delivering the first lecture to declare the programme open on Thursday, Associate Professor Memunat Tunrayo Ajadi of the Department of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin said that transiting from a professional athletics career is a significant life event for any athlete, but that it presents a compounded set of challenges for women with disabilities.

Delivering a lecture on “Empowering female athletes with disabilities: from sports field to the food business”, she said that, “to effectively facilitate this transition, a specialised programme is required,”.

“Such a programme should go beyond basic cooking classes, offering a comprehensive curriculum that combines culinary art with crucial business skills and personal development. They include culinary training with adaptive focus, essential business acumen, and integrated life skills and mentorship”, she explained.

Also delivering a lecture on media impact and support, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sportspro News, Bayour Issah said that the media plays a significant role in various fields, including sports and food businesses.

“Media outlets cover sports events, providing live commentary, analysis, and highlights, which helps promote sports and athletes. Media also showcases food trends, recipes, and products, influencing consumer preferences and driving sales.

“Media coverage can increase visibility for sports teams, athletes, and food businesses, attracting new fans and customers. Media helps in building brand awareness, establishing sports teams and food businesses as recognizable and reputable entities. It equally assists in the area of revenue generation”, he added.

Other lecturers who delivered their teachings online include Dr. Winifred Zizinga from Uganda, Mr. Tolulope Oyeleke (Abuja), and Mr. Moshood Abdulazeez, who gave a free CAC registration ticket to the best student, Mrs. Adeboye Taibat Motunrayo.

In his welcome address, the Founder of OFORDIS Foundation, Sarafadeen Olalekan Oyeleke said that the initiative is a reminder that disability is not inability.

“At OFORDIS Foundation, our mission is simple, yet powerful, unlocking the potentials of persons with disabilities through sports, ICT, and skills empowerment.

“The programme is a direct expression of our mission. EmpowerHer Kitchen is not just about learning to make small chops, it’s about acquiring small chops business skills that Ignite creativity, inspire innovation, and connect women to economic opportunities “

He commended the partners and sponsors, who include Kind Human Initiative, Anabel, Kwara State Sports Commission, Teworh Rockstar Academy, El-Tayib Nigeria Limited, Makam Global Resources, and Abu-Zarah Printing Enterprise for supporting the initiative.

Nafisat Asabe Bello of Anabel Classic Chops lectured the participants on the production of different small chops and other strategies.

While presenting a paper to round off the programme, Dr. Rofiat Olusola Dauda-Olajide, also of the Human Kinetics Department, University of Ilorin said that the disabled athletes must exhibit self-esteem, self-determinations, self-reliance and self-discipline to have a smooth transition.

“You would also exhibit empowerment through mindset, build resilience, work on networking and support, and also set your goals”, she said.

The award recipients at the final day are Mallam Bola Magaji, the Director of Sports, Mallam Ibrahim Bako, Dr. Rifiat Olusola Dauda-Olajide, The current and immediate past Chairmen of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPID), Mr. Adebayo Gbadamosi and Yusuf Bashir respectively.

The 15 participants were given starter packs and a start up capital of N10, 000 each. And in a strong demonstration of solidarity and social inclusion, all 15 female participants are fully sponsored by the Kind Humanitarian Initiative.

Among those present at the closing ceremony are the Commission Secretary, Aron Haruna Tsado, who was represented by Hajia Khadija Usman, Mr. Kamaldeen Opoboyi, Mohammed Waziri Alhassan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Abu-Zarah Printing Enterprise, and the trio of Mr. Ikupolati Taiye (Director Rehabilitation), Alhaji Oladimeji Hamzat (Deputy Director) and Mr. Kamaldeen Yakub (Director, Planning), all of the Ministry of Social Development