Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has been applauded for the bold step taken to mitigate the plight of the physically challenged persons (special citizens) in the state.
The Consultant, Data Bank for Special Citizens in the state, Mr. Renox Williams made the commendation during the personal biodata capturing exercise for the physically challenged persons in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA.
He stated that the programme was to ascertain their disabilities, educational and employment status in the 27 local government areas with the aim of empowering and engaging them meaningfully.
Mr. Williams gave kudos to the state government for plans to employ 5 physically challenged in each Ministry and extolled the Special Adviser to the Governor on Persons with disabilities, Mrs. Kate Okoli for her dogged efforts.
Speaking, the LGA Chairman physically challenged persons, Comrade Stev Anyanwu said the governor’s initiative would greatly reduce hardship, street begging and attendant crime occasioned by idleness, unemployment, acute poverty hunger and hopelessness.
He appreciated the LGA Head of Social Welfare, Mrs. Helen- David Osuagwu for working hard for their well being.
Some special citizens whose data were captured include the crippled Mr. Kingsly Nwadukwu, a computer maintenance technician and graduate of Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and Mr. Sunday Ohagudo, a sign language teacher at the Knowledge International School, Afor Oru, as well as the visually impaired, Mr. Chidi Agazima, graduate of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri and Miss Pet Nwaneri of Alkanu Ibiam Polytechnic, Owana Afipko who thanked the governor for his passion and care for the less privilege and down trodden.
They appealed for establishment of school of the blind in the state and prayed parents, guardians and relatives not to neglect and abandon children with disabilities but rather assist them developed their God given potentials like the 2012 Para-Olympics Team Nigeria that won the country medals when the able bodied athletes came back with non in all the sporting events in London, recently.
