By ibrahima yakubu
In anticipation of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2024, a special event, Festival of Togetherness, was held in Kaduna, Nigeria, to celebrate the creativity and talents of persons with disabilities (PWDs). The festival, supported by the African Culture Fund under the ACF Art’icipation Special Inclusion initiative, ‘aimed to foster inclusion, promote human rights and dignity, and provide PWDs with a platform to become active participants in Nigeria’s creative industries.
The initiative began in July 2024 with a series of meetings, followed by informal creative workshops and consultations with key stakeholders. A collaborative creative workshop was organized in September 2024, which brought together 15 trainees from three clusters of PWDs: Physically Challenged, Visually Impaired, and Hearing Impaired.
The culmination of this project was the Festival of Togetherness, which took place on November 30, 2024, in Kaduna. The festival featured a diverse array of performances, including dance, drama, indigenous songs, and spoken word poetry, all presented by the three PWD clusters. The event was directed and produced by Olabode Moses, with support from the African Culture Fund, and highlighted the remarkable talents of PWDs in the performing arts.
According to Olabode Moses Leye, the Artistic Director of Mega Arts Pluz Nigeria, the project was designed to empower PWDs by honing their creative skills in theater production, playwriting, and theater for development. Moses emphasized that the goal was not only to provide training but also to give participants the tools and confidence to explore and express their creative abilities.
Over the course of three months, the participants were mentored, allowing them to discover their own talents and gain valuable experience in the arts. The festival provided a vital platform for these individuals to showcase their abilities, reinforcing their relevance in the Nigerian creative industry.
Comrade Rilwanu Abdullahi, the National Chairman of the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities, expressed his pride in the participants’ performances and praised the event for showcasing the hidden potential of PWDs. He highlighted that people with disabilities are often gifted with remarkable talents, and what they need most is support to thrive.
Abdullahi also called for greater government investment in programs for PWDs, particularly for youth, women, and children, to reduce social challenges such as street begging. He thanked the trainers, the organizers, and the Kaduna State Rehabilitation Board, as well as the Ministry for Humanitarian Services, for their continued support in empowering persons with disabilities through education and the arts.
As the world prepares to observe International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2024, this festival serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion, creativity, and equal opportunities for all.
