Leprosy Mission unveils livelihood programme for inmates

The Leprosy Mission in Nigeria has vowed to empower over 2000 inmates in six northern states with sustainable livelihoods.

The Mission program officer in Niger, Habila Diko, made this known during the Formation and Project Inception meeting, where he said the program, which will end by December 2028, will run concurrently in the Federal Capital Territory FCT and five states, which include Kogi, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara and Sokoto.

The target groups are persons affected by Leprosy, persons with disabilities, women and girls, youths, Smallholder farmers, community groups, civil society organisations, and vulnerable and rural households.

Diko said the number of beneficiaries by state would be determined by the number of persons affected by leprosy and disabilities in each of the states.

“The target groups are persons affected by leprosy, persons with disabilities, women and girls, youths, Smallholder farmers, community groups, civil society organisations, vulnerable and rural households.

“The Mission will also engage over 300 civil society groups through skill development to advocate and influence public policy on environmental sustainability and adaptive agriculture,” he said.

Diko noted further that the beneficiaries by 2028 would get improved access to sustainable livelihood through skills development and use of technology, stressing that the programe focuses on climate change adaptation among others.

“The Mission will equip 1,500  farmers with skills on climate change, resilient farming models, disaster risk assessment and prevention.

“The program focuses on climate change adaptation, environmental sustainability, adaptive agriculture, sustainable livelihood, gender equality, disability inclusion and strengthening civil society participation,” Diko said.