By Leonard Okachie
Persons with Physical Disabilities in Abia have appealed to individuals and organisations to support them with essential assistive devices.
They made the appeal in Umuahia during the maiden celebration of the National Association of Persons with Physical Disability (NAPWPD), Abia Chapter.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAPWPD is the umbrella body for persons with physical disabilities in Nigeria.
The State Chairman, Mr Iroabuchi Alozie, said members struggled daily with limited access to crucial mobility aids.
He said devices such as crutches, wheelchairs, walkers and prosthetics were “necessities for dignity, independence and full participation in society”.
Alozie said the group had continued advocacy to unite stakeholders towards providing the needed devices.
“We do this to discourage our members from crawling or staying home due to lack of mobility aids,” he said.
He called the event “an epoch-making occasion” designed to restore hope among members in spite of their disabilities.
Alozie said NAPWPD had the largest membership among disability clusters in the state, and stressed that assistive devices would complement ongoing government reforms.
He thanked Gov. Alex Otti for supporting the celebration, saying his inclusive leadership had inspired hope across the state.
“As an association, we pledge our unalloyed loyalty and unwavering support to the governor’s purposeful leadership,” he said.
In a keynote address, the Chairman, Abia State Disability Commission, Mr David Anyaele, said the governor had made provisions for assistive devices to promote independent living.
Anyaele urged PWDs in need of mobility aids to write to the commission, assuring that their requests would be granted.
He encouraged PWDs to take advantage of the state’s free education to acquire skills and participate fully in the modern world.
He said the commission was engaging government agencies to ensure their interventions met the needs of PWDs.
“We want an inclusive state where no one is discriminated against, and what you are doing here is commendable,” he said.
He added that the governor wanted PWDs to contribute to the state’s socioeconomic development through an inclusive system.
The chairman of the occasion, Chief Emole Onwuasoanya, said an inclusive society was vital for social progress.
He urged PWDs to pursue education, saying it would position them to make meaningful impact.
A member of the association, Mrs Blessing Ononogbu, said the day was unique because it was their first major celebration.
“This encourages us because many believe all is lost due to disability,” she said.
The event featured goodwill messages, drama, musical performances and other attractions.
(NAN)
