Deaf Supporters Development Initiative (DSDI), an advocacy pressure group for persons with hearing impairment which clocked 30 years recently, rolled out their drums to celebrate their milestone.

Addressing participants and relevant stakeholders, the President of the group, Afolabi Dahunsi said it was heartening to note that from a very humble beginning the group made up of a small gathering of deaf artisans and traders three decades after have achieved some milestones.

Speaking on the theme of the occasion tagged:  ‘Consolidation on our gains in the post COVID-19 era and moving forward,’ the DSDI boss recalled that since 1991, when the organisation started, it has been able to guide, help and nurture many poor deaf people to start small scale business of their choice.

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“As our organisation clocks 30 years in our journey through life, in the Nigerian disability community we are known to be active in advocating for, promoting the rights of and advancing the interests of deaf people in Nigeria and beyond. We provide life skills, vocational skills training. Through advocacy efforts and our counseling services. We have many deaf who are self-employed and they have their own businesses. Others were able to get employed either by government or the private sectors.”

Dahunsi, who recalled that the organisation has also benefitted immensely from the goodwill of certain individuals including Chief Tunde Olojo (SAN), Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi and Dr. Hammed Kusamotu also made a case for continuous support of relevant stakeholders.

The highpoint of the occasion was presentation of awards to deserving partners as well as empowerment of few members with startup packs and other welfare packages by the Board of Trustees.