Politics
The Anambra State government has perfected plans to employ no fewer than 270 physically challenged in the state work workforce.
Governor Willie Obiano announced this during the distribution of not less than 100 wheel chairs to the People Living with disabilities at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.
Obiano also stressed that undergraduates that were physically challenged would continue to enjoy free education in all the special schools across the state.
The governor said that he would continue providing excellent environment for every teeming youth, especially people with disabilities to strive.
“Every Onye Anambra has equal right. It is against divine law to discriminate humans.
“It is not their fault that they were born with disabilities. So, we must provide them with necessary facilities to live on.
“They need our love and it is your duty to help them at any given time. If you do that, you are doing it for God not human,’’ Obiano appealed.
He emphasised that he would not hesitate to approve any opportunity that would improve humanity, especially, to better the life of people with disabilities.
The governor recalled that he promoted some disabled people in his government to enviable positions, which was neglected by the previous administrations.
He commended Ebelechukwu Obiano, his wife, for touching lives through her pet project, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative, CAFE, which was unveiled 30 years ago.
While commending supporters of the project, especially Arthur Eze, for donating generously for the construction of buildings to indigent and widows, he appealed to other meaningful individuals to embrace humanitarian services for the glory of God.
Ebelechukwu Obiano stressed that the essence of the wheel chair distribution was to provide them access to life and opportunity to mingle with their friends.
The first lady said that it would re-energise them and create sense of productivity to contribute tremendously to the economic development of the state.
No fewer than 300 people were measured last week for procurement of their prosthetic limps, assuring it would soon arrive for distribution.
“We have in records that not less than 2,000 people with disabilities have received their wheel chair in the present administration.
“Although CAFÉ, has not less than 1,500 indigent persons and widows also have been empowered.
“More than 1,000 widows have benefited from the housing scheme,’’ she said.
She promised to sustain the tempo of her humanitarian services, by giving them, reasons to live so as to avoid despondency.
She cautioned them to refrain from street begging and engage in a meaningful activity that would improve their life, adding that Obiano administration would always support them to actualise their goals.
Chuks Ezewuzie, the senior special assistant, SSA, to the governor on Disability Matters, noted that Obiano administration had transformed schools in Anambra state and offered them free education to any level.
Ezewuzie observed that Anambra would be the first state to sign Disability Bill into law, as Obiano had finalised plans for the implementation.
While commending the governor and his wife for giving them voice in the administration, he emphasised that the present Government had reunited some allegedly mentally challenged with their families.
Azuka Offormata commended the present administration for introducing merits and transparency in promotion and appointments in different positions.
Ugochukwu Okeke, the Anambra State chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, said that Governor Willie Obiano administration was committed to empowering citizens with disabilities to enable them to live independent lives.
Okeke pleaded with the first lady not to relent in her empowerment drive as no previous government had factored them into relevance like the present administration.
Tags: 270 physically challenged graduates to be employed in Anambra civil service
