In a major boost to disability inclusion, the Ekiti State Government, in partnership with the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre and two ex-corps members, distributed 100 locally fabricated tricycle wheelchairs to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
The event, held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the Ekiti State Skill Acquisition Centre in Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti, brought together state officials, humanitarian leaders, and members of the disability community.
The collaboration was catalyzed by two Ex- corps members who served in the state, Mr. Israel Bernard Offong and Mr. Zion Timothy Atser. Explaining their motivation, the ex-corps members noted that their decision to facilitate the intervention stemmed from witnessing firsthand the purposeful leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
“We came to Ekiti to serve, we saw the level of intentionality of what Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is doing to people with disability through the office of the Special Adviser for Special Education and Social Inclusion, and we decided to reach out to Beautiful Gate in Jos, and they yielded,” they stated.
The Media Director of Beautiful Gate, Yilgwan Sandra, noted that the organization’s humanitarian footprint spans across the nation, focusing heavily on mobility independence for PWDs regardless of geography or social status. She explained that the tricycles were locally manufactured and assembled in Jos, Plateau State, ensuring that beneficiaries have easy access to local technical support and repairs.
Highlighting the state’s progressive policies, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, Princess Adetoun Agboola, commended Governor Oyebanji for institutionalizing support for PWDs since assuming office in 2022.
Princess Agboola noted that the administration is the first in the state’s history to introduce free medical care for PWDs and officially shoulder the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. She added that the state has integrated PWDs into the civil service, with members of the community attaining administrative cadres and the position of Executive Secretary, while also ensuring all special schools remain tuition-free with regular feeding.
She expressed profound appreciation to the founder of Beautiful Gate and Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Honourable Ayuba Burki Gufwan, for his visionary leadership and dedication to humanity.
The Special Adviser lauded Honourable Ayuba as a worthy role model to persons with disabilities, noting that he has proven beyond doubt that persons with disabilities can develop immense capacity. She used the opportunity to challenge all persons with disabilities in Ekiti State to emulate him by building capacity in their various trades and shifting their mindset from focusing on what they can receive to what they can offer.
Princess Agboola also expressed delight that two ex-corps members served in the state had recognized the governor’s commitment to PWDs and decided to complement the government’s efforts by facilitating the partnership with the Beautiful Gate NGO in Jos. She described the gesture as evidence that government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of catering for the needs of persons with disabilities, while appreciating the ex-corps members for their compassion and support.
Echoing these sentiments, the Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Office of Disability Affairs, Mr. Bayo Odewale, delivered a welcome address praising the Beautiful Gate Group for the partnership. He emphasized that the distribution of mobility aids goes far beyond physical hardware, serving as an instrument to restore hope, promote self-reliance, and foster dignity.
State officials issued clear guidance to the beneficiaries during the event. The Director of Disability Affairs, Mr. Toye Ojo, and NGO representatives stressed that while the wheelchairs were provided free, transporting them to Ekiti cost the state a significant investment. Beneficiaries were sternly cautioned not to sell the chairs and strictly advised against operating the tricycle wheelchairs on highways for safety reasons.
The event concluded with renewed calls from the state government for public-spirited individuals, corporate bodies, and non-governmental organizations to complement government efforts in building a more inclusive society where every citizen can thrive.