Physically challenged persons commend Obiano’s performance

The Association of Physically Challenged Persons in Anambra State have expressed gratitude to Governor Willie Obiano his support to them.

The association said this during a press briefing held at the Government House, Awka recently. At the briefing, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Disability Matters, Mr. Chuks Ezewuzie, said “disabled people are a vulnerable group in the society’’.

“Nobody has ever loved and cared for us, the physically challenged as much as the present administration has done, under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano”.

He said the governor had continued to empower entrepreneurs with disabilities, who had been involved in private economic ventures for their families.

He enumerated some of the government’s benevolence to them, noting that the once governor donated his salary for the upkeep of persons with Mental Disabilities at at Nteje, Oyi Local Government Areas of the state.

“He gave the deaf community a sense of belonging by appointing one of them as Special Assistant on `Sign Language Communication.

“He funds and maintains two vocational rehabilitation centres at Aguleri and Oba respectively, with a plan to establishing another one in Nwafiga for Anambra South.

“His commitment to the physically challenged prompted him to sponsor me to the UN Conference on Disability and Inclusiveness’ held in June, 2017. “He has directed that all projects executed in Anambra be handicapped-accessible,’’ Ezewuzie added.

A visually impaired Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Welfare, Children and Women Affairs, Mr. Azuka Oformata, confirmed that civil servants with disabilities serving in various ministries were being promoted as and when due.

The Chairman, Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Lawrence Nwanolue, noted that the present administration had offered free education to all students with disabilities in Anambra State.

He said the government also offered employment to virtually all graduates with disabilities into the state civil service.