-By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh:

Emmanuel Sylvanus is one of the persons living with disabilities (PwDs), trained and established by the Delta State Government through its Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP.) He is visually impaired and has an HND in Mass Communication. Emmanuel is a YAGEPreneur in Fish Production in the 2016/2017 cycle. He shares his story.

“Being in the YAGEP programme is laudable. I have gained attention in public through YAGEP because I am doing well and I have something to offer. I now have three tarpaulin fish tanks and five concrete tanks.

“I have diversified to sale of foodstuffs and provision. I am a point of sales (POS) agent with two banks and I am in partnership with a furniture company in Lagos which yields good monthly income. I have one employee. My children attend the best private school in Abavo. I also bought a motorcycle to facilitate my movement.

“It was unusual with previous administrations to give opportunity to PwDs to become business owners, rather we were given hand-outs and left as liabilities. The present government has helped to reduce the level of stigmatization on us through the job creation programme.”