FIVE Nigerians with disabilities have been awarded the United Kingdom Chevening Scholarship for the 2020 to 2021 session.
The scholarship, according to the acting Head of British High Commission in Nigeria, Gill Atkinson, is to foster their inclusion in the society with equal opportunities as others.
Atkinson disclosed this in Abuja during a presentation to showcase the Cheveining Scholarship to Persons with Disabilities and putting them through the application process.
Atkinson said the inclusion of persons with disabilities into the programmes is a way the UK government shows them that they are just like every other person with great abilities.
“Chevening gives real opportunities to some of the best people in the country to study, meeting their passions and bringing those skills and experiences that they have had back to Nigeria.
“I have seen recent Chevening graduates who have just began in the system and also people who are 20 years into their career.
“The Head of Communications of Baze University is a Chevening graduate, and so are other great personalities in Nigeria.
“Persons with disabilities cannot be left out because they also have a lot to impact on society which is why the inclusion.
“Nigeria is one of the biggest beneficiaries in the globe, which is a big credit,” Atkinson said.
Chevening Programme Officer in Nigeria, Mrs Layo Ladepo, said the inclusion of persons with disability is also aimed at improving Nigeria with the positive impact they would bring to the country.
Ladepo said persons with disabilities are very smart and that when given the opportunity, they give back in building the society.
She disclosed that 20 persons with disabilities have benefitted from the programme since 2014 when the UK government started including persons with disabilities as beneficiaries.
She also urged as many others to apply for the 2022 session to the UK institutions listed on the Chevening site and ensure they meet the deadline, adding that applications were opened from August 3 to November 2.
“That is the basic thing, partnering with Nigeria, to improve Nigeria and also to gain from Nigeria because you know if we have these people going, we are also having strong people coming back to build Nigeria.
“The UK now has a relationship with those scholars who are returning. So whenever they want to evolve into the system it will be a lot easier as an alumnus.
“Like the acting commissioner said about the struggles, they are trying to make reasonable adjustments in different environments to ensure that persons with disabilities are captured in everything being done.
“I would ask them to come back home because they have invested in them and have so much knowledge and skills that should be impacted in Nigeria.
“They have told us a story in their essays on what they intend to do better in the country upon return and we expect them to come and fulfill that,” Ladepo said.
The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr James Lalu, appreciated the UK government for including persons with disabilities in the programme.
