Posted by From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka on
On February 5, more than 100 physically challenged persons in Anambra State had cause to smile as the state government literally lifted them up spiritually and physically during the 2007 Disabled Day/Special Sports Festival held at the Igwebuike Grammar School field, Awka.
…Gov Obi donates cash, materials to physically challenged
On February 5, more than 100 physically challenged persons in Anambra State had cause to smile as the state government literally lifted them up spiritually and physically during the 2007 Disabled Day/Special Sports Festival held at the Igwebuike Grammar School field, Awka.
The event was postponed last year owing to hurdles that needed to be removed for the occasion to get the necessary attention it deserves.
On the occasion, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State shocked many people as he pocketed his: 'On only business we stand" philosophy to donate towards the wellbeing of the disabled.
The governor, who personally graced the occasion battled to hold back tears as he watched the physically challenged came together in their large number.
In an emotion-laden speech, he described the physically challenged as super beings, promising them of his government's continuous support.
Doling out cheques of N20, 000 each to 100 of them, he said: 'From what I saw here today, those of us who see ourselves as complete are not better than those of you referred to as physically challenged in the society".
The governor assured that his government would ensure that the less privileged are not left out in the scheme of things in the state, adding that the efforts in empowering them would not end at the day's occasion, but would continue with lots of goodies that would come their way in future through the Women Affairs Ministry.
The governor was to be dazed the more during the march-pass as the physically challenged persons in their various groups such as the blind, the deaf and dumb, and the crippled filed passed him.
Obi, who attended the event in company of his wife, Margaret, some of his commissioners and top government functionaries, including Prof. Chinyere Okunna of the Ministry of Information and Culture; Dr. Kay Onyechi of Education and Dr. Cordelia Ego Uzoezie of Women Affairs and Social Development, also distributed wheelchairs, sewing machines, grinding mills, grinding engines, MTN tables, wood chisels, and other mobility aids to the less privileged.
Dr. Uzoezie, whose ministry organized the event, was full of praises for the governor who she described as the people's governor, noting that the items distributed cost the government about N3 million, while the N20, 000 grant to each of them amounted to N2 million.
She noted that the state has been doing much in terms of integrating the disabled and encouraging them to be self-sufficient.
'Educationally, the state owned Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Nteje trains physically challenged persons in vocational skills, persons with special needs should, therefore, avail themselves of the opportunity. The ministry also organizes community based-vocational training for physically challenged persons at the grassroots. The people's governor has shown his commitment to better the lot of the physically challenged persons.
'In 2006, he provided working tools to more than 50 less-privileged physically challenged persons; this year, 2007, he went further to provide not only working tools but mobility aids/appliances and grants to enhance their potentialities. He even provided grants to skilled, physically challenged to empower them and reduce poverty in line with the millennium development goals.
'Sports allow people with disability to be physically active and increase their confidence in their own abilities. To encourage the physically challenged athletes, who had been doing the state proud both nationally and internationally, for the first time, sporting equipment were provided for their training," she said.
She told the governor that the physically challenged persons in the state were proud of him.
She, however, said that the task of rehabilitating the physically challenged should not be left for the government alone, saying that the private sector has a lot to contribute towards the rehabilitation and social integration of their brothers and sisters with special needs.
'There is need to support them by providing them with opportunities to enable them develop their residual abilities and thus become self-reliant or, at least, less dependent on others.
'They would be helped by offering them appointments, buying products made by physically challenged persons, provide them with aides and appliances. Local producers of aides and appliances can be assisted by giving them grants, loans and technical support services. The public can also help by setting up cottage industries for them. The Press is not left out, as they should bring to limelight the disabled achievers to encourage others".
She commended Miss Njideka Iyiazi, who won gold medals, in the last national sports festival and the last paraplegic games; assuring that her ministry has resolved to take special sport to a prominent height, so as to encourage more physically challenged persons to take to sporting activities for both its remedial and physiological values.