Plateau Witnesses Historic Shift as LTR Empowers Leprosy-Affected Persons with Skills for Independence

In a bold and inspiring display of resilience, dignity, and transformation, the Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Nigeria (LTR) today hosted an impactful exhibition showcasing products created by persons affected by leprosy under the project “Breaking Stigma Through Building Stories.” The initiative, themed “Empowerment of Persons Affected by Leprosy Through Art and Craft in Nigeria,” stands as a powerful testament to what inclusion, opportunity, and belief can achieve.

Implemented by LTR and funded by Virtutis Opus Foundation through Netherlands Leprosy Relief (NLR), the project successfully trained 25 persons affected by leprosy in practical and income-generating skills including shoe making, bag production, belt crafting, photography, and cinematography. What was once a story of stigma has now become a story of skill, self-reliance, and renewed purpose.

The event drew high-level dignitaries, including the Executive Governor of Plateau State, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, alongside key stakeholders from the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), the Plateau State TB and Leprosy Control Programme, and health leadership across the state. The atmosphere was vibrant and symbolic, enriched with traditional music, cultural dance performances, and a moving documentary that captured the transformation journey of the beneficiaries.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Executive Director of LTR, Dr. Tahir Dahiru, the Head of Administration, Naomi Iye Idako, emphasized the deeper vision behind the initiative. She noted that the project goes beyond skills acquisition, focusing on restoring dignity, rewriting narratives, and amplifying voices long silenced by stigma. She highlighted that each product on display represents courage, resilience, and triumph, reaffirming LTR’s belief that persons affected by leprosy are defined not by the disease, but by their strength, potential, and ability to rise above limitations.

In his address, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, representing the Governor, acknowledged both the significance and long-term impact of the initiative. He described the program as transformative, noting that beneficiaries are already using their skills to support their families, pay school fees, and rebuild their futures. He stressed that leprosy is not a justification for exclusion and called for a shift in societal perception, emphasizing that affected persons should be treated as equal members of the community. He further underscored that the daily interaction of health workers with affected individuals without fear should serve as a powerful reminder to challenge and eliminate stigma.

In a strong show of commitment, the Commissioner pledged ₦5 million to support the sustainability of the beneficiaries’ businesses and assured continued government support, including investment in infrastructure to enhance productivity and market access.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Markus Ali delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, reflecting on the transformation the program has brought to their lives. He shared that many once felt forgotten and without hope, but through the initiative, they have regained confidence, purpose, and the ability to provide for themselves and their families. He expressed deep gratitude to LTR, NLR, and all partners for believing in them and giving them a renewed sense of identity and direction.

The exhibition concluded with the presentation of handcrafted items to the government representative and LTR leadership, symbolizing gratitude, dignity, and pride. The event reinforced a powerful message that stigma can be broken, lives can be rebuilt, and when given a voice, stories have the power to change the world.

Saleh Farouq ( anipr)
Communication & Media Officer LTR