Ebonyi State Government Southeast Nigeria has assured persons with disabilities of continuous support and inclusiveness of participating in leadership positions in the State and Nigeria at large.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Chinwe Okah stated this during the commemoration of this year’s International Day of people with disabilities in Abakaliki the State Capital.
Mrs. Okah said Ebonyi State Government has done well in support of People with Disabilities and promised that more would be done to ensure better welfare of the group.
“My office is saddled with the core mandate of ensuring the advancement and well-being of Ebonyi women and girls and addressing the social inequalities that limit the attainment of their life goals. It is profitable to note that outside the aforesaid duties, we engage international and local partners and civil society organisations in the realisation of our mandate. The plights of Persons with Disabilities in the state form the fulcrum of our work too. And today, I am glad that our achievements and limitations in seeking their psycho-social and economic development will be for you to tell the world and how spirited individuals and organisations should assist the government in this regard,” she explained.
The Commissioner said every 3rd of December, the International community commemorates the existence and essence of Persons with Disabilities following the 1992 proclamation by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3.
She added that “Being disabled is not a negation but a condition that creates inner energy for these people to live and be economically viable to the society and their families. But we as people and government must create a conducive clime for them to realise such given the certitude of their physical and mental dispositions”
“As a ministry, we have engaged them to acquire basic education through the free tuition for those that wish to further their post-secondary studies and ensure that they are availed of all social services. It is remarkable to note that at the advent of the administration of His Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi in 2015, his special regards to them orchestrated the establishment of an office on Religious and Welfare Matters for broader synergy with us for enhanced socio-economic inclusion of these special people”
“It is notable that remarkable achievements were recorded by these offices. Regular monthly subventions are given to our brothers and sisters to cushion the realities of this existential world; psycho-social support is given to those in need and the government has been relentless in aggressive sensitization campaigns aimed at eliminating stigmatisation attached to being disabled”.
She said the wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Rachel Ogonnaya Umahi through her Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation, has rendered countless services to these people and she is always quick to intervene in matters relating to them.
The Principal Secretary to the State Governor, Mr. Emmanuel Obasi who as well represented the Governor urged the public not to always see the disabled in a negative way but to encourage them always.
The Wife of the Governor, Mr. Rachel Umahi, represented by her Special Assistant on Welfare, Mrs. Patience Ofokorie said citizens shouldn’t look down on the disabled but always support and intervene for them.
Nnenna.O
