Abia State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities has appealed to the state government to establish a school for the deaf and build students’ hostels for School of the Blind, Afara Umuahia.
The chapter chairman, Wisdom Okechukwu Kalu, stated this in his address during the state’s first Disability Day Interactive Session with the governor in Umuahia at the weekend.
He urged the government to provide the chapter with subvention, employment for the members, operational vehicle, make the state secretariat PWDs-friendly and create a commission for the chapter.
While commending the governor for the appointment of David Anyaele as his special assistant on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), he urged parents of young PWDs to stop hiding them from the public.
“They could by so doing be preventing such children from either actualising their life dream or inhibiting their God-given talents to their detrimental in particular and the society in general,” Kalu added.
Declaring the event open, Governor Alex Otti said his administration stands for inclusion and welfare of PWDs, adding that the administration abhors any form of discrimination against them.
Otti, who was represented by his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, added that the administration had demonstrated the position through appointments, encouragement, and support for the members and the chapter.
In his speech, the commissioner for sports and youth development, Nwaobilo Ananaba expressed gratitude that the chapter had been doing the state proud especially in sports by breaking a world record.
According to the special assistant, the ocassion which was organised by his office in collaboration with the ministry was aimed at promoting the rights, dignity, and well-being of PWDs in the state.
