The Rivers State Government, through the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, has organized her first Capacity Building for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), held at the Ministry of Justice Conference Hall, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In his address, Mr. Joe Philip Poroma, Hon. Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Rivers State, described the forum as an indication of government’s good intentions for the people of the state, including the not- very-privileged in the society and the need to fashion out ways to contribute to improving the lives of persons with disabilities or the other.
Despite his commendation of Governor Amaechi’s efforts in empowering the youths of the state, Hon. Poroma admitted that there are more to be done, considering the large population of persons with disabilities, particularly those in the remote rural communities of the state.
He used the forum to call on all public-spirited individuals, groups, and corporate organizations to partner with government, in her bid to eliminate all forms of discriminations against persons living with disability and improve their lives.
In his remarks and the official opening of the forum, the governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, urged Persons with Disabilities to tap from the presentations and speeches that were made at the forum, to help them in taking decisions that will make them relevant in the society.
While the governor’s wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, who came in the entourage of some L.G. Chairpersons, prayed God for the quick completion of the school for PWDs which foundation according to her, was laid by her husband, during his last year’s birthday ceremony.
Dame Judith, described the PWDs as able, focused, intelligent and talented people, and urged them to believe in the prayer she offered at the event and see what God will do in their lives. She thereby made a donation of N500,000 to be given to five PWDs with immediate pressing needs and commended Apostle Eugene Ogu, for his contributions to the less privileged across the country.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Occasion, Apostle E. Ogu and the General Overseer of Abundant Life Evangel Ministry ALEM, thanked the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation for the honour done to him and called on government to create an environment that will offer equal opportunities to everyone, by providing facilities that will be accessible to PWDs, which they have just started at ALEM.
The founder and pioneer of Arm of Hope World Wide Outreach, handling the scholarship of over 300 students across the country, used the occasion of his award and the Easter celebration to call on Nigerians to always give freely, from the bottom of their hearts, believing that God will reward them abundantly.
After the presentation of three different papers at the capacity forum, aimed at providing legislations to better the lots of the less privileged in the society, two awards were presented to Dame Judith Amaechi and Apostle Eugene Ogu respectively, for their unflinching supports to the plights of the less privileged in the society, by the host ministry.
By BIaise Elumezie
