NAN-H-73
Welfare
By Emmanuel Mogbede
Abuja, Dec. 7, 2017 (NAN) A member of the National Assembly, Sen. Dino Melaye, has charged governments at all levels to give priority to the welfare of the physically-challenged across the country, especially in employment.
He made the call on Thursday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of an event organised by Kpakpando Foundation for Physically-Challenged Persons, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), to honour persons with disabilities.
The event was to commemorate this year`s International Day for Persons with Disabilities which has “Transformation Towards Sustainable and Resilient Society for All“ as the theme.
Melaye, who represents Kogi West in the Senate, also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to append his signature on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill.
This, he said, was critical to make life more meaningful for persons with disabilities in the country.
Melaye described as “ beer palour story“ reports in some quarters that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill was missing at the National Assembly.
Dr Segun Oni, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman (West), said any society that was not ready to take care of persons with disabilities, was not ready for development.
He maintained that persons with disabilities were only challenged and should be supported by all.
One, therefore, tasked the foundation and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to support persons with disabilities, adding that the APC was poised to provide for their welfare.
In her remarks, Mrs Pat Usehi, Executive Director of Kpakpando Foundation, said the organisation was using the opportunity of the international day to celebrate the uniqueness in persons with disabilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the foundation presented a cheque of an undisclosed amount to some disabled students of Government Secondary School, Kuje, Abuja.
The money, according to the founder of the foundation, Sen. Osita Izunaso, APC’s National Organising Secretary, was to be used to pay the WAEC fees of the students.
Izunaso, who also presented sewing and grinding machines, wheel chairs and other items to some persons with disabilities, said the foundation was determined to cater for the people.
He added that the foundation intended to achieve that by providing quantitative education, skill acquisition, healthcare and advocacy to such persons across the country.
“We believe in the ingenuity of persons living with disabilities, working with them to acquire educational skills and resources necessary to build self-sufficient purposeful lives, “ he said. (NAN)
EEM/OPI/OPI