On Wednesday, 3rd December 2025, the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development commemorated the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) with a para-soccer contest and an empowerment exercise designed to deepen inclusion and enhance the well-being of persons with disabilities across the state.
The event included a para-soccer match featuring teams drawn from both within and outside Kwara, with Team Kwara securing a 3–0 victory over Team Ekiti to lift the trophy.
Alongside the sporting activity, the programme hosted a trade fair where persons with disabilities exhibited their crafts and products. Beneficiaries received a range of mobility aids and support materials, such as wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, walking sticks, white canes, beading tools, shoe-making kits, and sunscreen for persons with albinism.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Honourable Maryam Nnafatima Imam, Honourable Commissioner for Social Development, Kwara State, and Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Government on Sustainable Goals, noted that “the programme was thoughtfully developed to enhance inclusion, support mobility, and strengthen the economic prospects of persons with disabilities while providing a platform to highlight their talents, creativity, and determination.”
She expressed appreciation to His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON, for his backing of the Ministry and his commitment to improving the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities in the state, explaining that “multiple interventions, including skill-acquisition efforts, empowerment programs, and social support schemes, have continued to transform their livelihoods.”
The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bolakale Mogaji, who attended the occasion, described the para-soccer event and empowerment programme as significant, adding that “such initiatives reshape public attitudes and encourage families to support children with disabilities.”
He praised the state government for its steady support for persons with disabilities, especially in sports, emphasizing that “ongoing investment in their well-being is helping many achieve more fulfilling lives.”
The IDPD 2025 commemoration in Kwara State underscored the importance of sports, empowerment, and public awareness in building an inclusive society where persons with disabilities can flourish.
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