GOV OBIANO PROMISES TO EMPLOY 200 PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS IN ANAMBRA CIVIL SERVICE
More than 200 physically challenged graduates in Anambra State are to be employed in the civil service.
Governor Willie Obiano made this known in a message to a programme organized by the Ministry of Women’s and Children’s Affairs for persons with disabilities at Professor Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre, Awka.
Governor Willie Obiano, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Disability Matters, Mr. Chuks Ezewuzie, said that the present administration had given a voice to the disability community in the state executive council and other sectors of the economy.
He hinted that the State Government in collaboration with the Export Promotion Council would be exporting hand made crafts produced by disabled persons to boost the economy of the state.
Also, the Commissioner for Women’s and Children’s Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mezue, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Hope Echesiobi, noted that the gesture by the State Government had assisted in reducing the menace of street beggars.
The Commissioner urged the beneficiaries to see the empowerment as an opportunity to break away from the shackles of poverty by making judicious use of the assistance provided for them.
Radio Nigeria gathered that some of the physically challenged persons were empowered with laptops, sewing machines, grinding machines, tape recorders, gas cookers among others.
Speaking on the need to include persons with disabilities in policies and programmes, a guest speaker from the Columbia University, United States of America, Mrs. Josephine Aguorji called on the state government to make all round inclusion of all disabilities in schools and social services.
The Chairman Joint Network of People Living with Disabilities in Anambra State, Mr. Ugochukwu Okeke, described the Governor as a disability friendly leader.
He said Anambra was the first state to sign the disability rights bill into law, noting that the aim of the interactive program was to ensure that government’s intentions were being actualized.
In a remark, the Director of Rehabilitation Department, Ministry of Women’s and Children’s Affairs, Mr. Jude Nwakeme, said the present administration was committed to empower citizens with disabilities to enable them live independent lives.
Two of the beneficiaries, Ncheta Nwanokwara and Love Martins, thanked the Governor for remembering the physically challenged persons and promised to make judicious use of the items offered them.
PAMELA IGWE