The Rivers state ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation on Tuesday, 10th April, at the ministry of Justice Conference Hall complex, honoured the duo of Apostle Eugene Ogu and Dame Judith Amaechi on their various welfare programmes for people with disabilities.
While Dame Judith Amaechi wife of the state executive was honoured for her welfare to people with disabilities, Apostle Eugene Ogu, senior Pastor of ALEM was honoured for his dedication to people with disabilities.
Responding on behalf of her co-awardee, Mrs. Amaechi said, “Giving us award is not all that it takes, you have just challenged us to do more.” She also gave five disabled persons the sum of N500,000.
The occasion was initiated by the commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation to encourage people with disabilities that the Rivers State government has not forgotten them, rather the Amaechi led administration is planning for their welfare.
The programme titled “Capacity Building for Persons with Disabilities,” (PWDS), was a programme to showcase a proposed plan of the state government to establish special school for people living with disabilities in the state.
Governor Amaechi was represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru. Speaking on behalf of the governor, Tele Ikuru stated that Amaechi was passionate in the affairs and plight of people living with disabilities, pointing out that “the condition of disability is not a condition anyone wished or wanted to acquire, but it simply means a situation that was entrusted on you by accident, not that you went for it.”
He added that, that is the reason society should also come in to help and declared the forum open on behalf of the state governor.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Apostle Eugene Ogu, had appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly to pass a bill to build special schools for people living with disabilities, mostly places like supermarket, banks, social facilities, for them to also have equal opportunities with the entire society.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Joe Poroma said, the occasion showed that Rivers state government has plans for people with disabilities, but encourage other public spirited corporate and well-to-do individuals to support government effort as government alone could not do it alone, saying that it is only with concerted effort that the battle will be won.
He highlighted some of the things suffered by disable persons in society, namely, discrimination in social places, super markets, banks, churches and advised that special consideration be made to build special ATM, supermarkets, schools, banks and churches for these group of persons.
The highlight of the occasion was special paper presentation by some people with disabilities, IB Osuamkpe, Barr. Sunday Peter Ikeagwu, Kie Obomanu and a comedian named Crazy Legs.
They all showed their different uniqueness by dishing out what abilities they are made up in disability.
It was an occasion of motivation as IB Osuamkpe, Barr. Sunday Peter Ikeagwu, Kie Obomanu and comedian crazy legs made people living with normal condition jealous with their disability condition. ###
Allanso Jonathan Allanso
