No fewer than 80 physically challenged persons were on Monday presented with free wheelchairs by Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, wife of Gov. Willy Obaino of Anambra State.
Making the presentation in Amawbia as part of activities to mark her birthday, Mrs. Obiano said the gesture was part of her commitment to improve the welfare and empower the less privileged persons in the society.
She said that her mission was to use her NGO – Caring Family Enhancement Initiative – to identify the challenges facing the less privileged and facilitate ways and means to bring succor to them.
“There is a reason why some children of God turn out physically challenged in their present conditions.
“There is something God wants you and me to do in such a challenging situation.
“I don’t believe anybody is handicapped because it means the person is worthless; I see it that you only have challenges,” she said.
Mrs. Obiano said that her mission on earth was to help mankind, facilitate the empowerment of the needy and provide them with skills and resources.
“My mission on earth is to help mankind. I decided to delve into many focus areas to enable me touch many people with diverse needs.
“I will continue to touch lives. That is what gives me joy. That is why I walk tall. People wonder why I am always happy and glow.
“What is making me happy and glow is because I am touching lives. I want to make people happy. I don’t see anything that is self-fulfilling than making people happy,’’ she said.
The Anambra first lady reassured the physically challenged persons as well as the indigent in the state of more training on capacity building and educational opportunities to open ways of job opportunities for them.
She advised them to use the wheel chairs for the purpose they were meant for, warning that they should not use them to beg which she described as degrading.
Mr Ugochukwu Okeke, President, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, commended the governor’s wife for her empowerment programmes for physically challenged persons. (NAN)
