No fewer than 500 women and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Kogi State have received wheelchairs, assorted crutches and other mobility devices in a landmark humanitarian intervention by the Ohunene Empowerment Initiative (OEI) a pet project of the First Lady of Kogi State, Hajiya Sefinat Usman Ododo.
In addition to the mobility aids, 260 beneficiaries from the disability community received ₦100,000 empowerment grants each, 100 persons received ₦200,000 each, while 25 persons living with albinism also received ₦50,000 each alongside sunscreen creams and other support items.
Speaking at the event held on Wednesday at the Muhammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja, the Founder of the Ohunene Empowerment Initiative and Wife of the Kogi State Governor, Hajiya Sefinat Usman Ododo, reaffirmed her commitment to restoring dignity and improving the quality of life of Persons With Disabilities and other vulnerable groups across the state.
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She noted that the mobility assistive devices and financial support would not only enhance movement but also empower beneficiaries to grow their businesses and become self-sufficient.
Mrs Ododo urged the recipients to make optimal and judicious use of the items and cash grants.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Commission for Disability Affairs, Yakubu Abdulhakeem, described the occasion as historic, commending the establishment of the Ohunene Empowerment Initiative as a noble and timely intervention.
According to Abdulhakeem, the gesture reflects a genuine commitment to inclusion, noting that the items provided, go beyond mobility to offer independence, hope and sustainable livelihoods for beneficiaries.
In separate goodwill messages, executives of various PWD groups described the distribution as novel and remarkable, saying it had effectively provided a leap for the beneficiaries.
They pledged continued support and prayers for the success of the Ododo-led administration.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Ohunene Empowerment Initiative, Mary Agamalafia, disclosed that within one year, several individuals, groups and communities have benefitted from OEI’s various interventions across the state.
While highlighting the foundation’s achievements, she stressed that “inclusion is not charity, and progress is only meaningful when no one is left behind.”
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo who flagged off distribution of the items, commended the First Lady for leveraging her foundation to uplift PWDs and other vulnerable groups.
The Governor, who donated a brand new Toyota SUV as an official vehicle to the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Disability Commission, promised to write to the State House of Assembly to consider a 50 per cent tuition waiver for PWDs in tertiary institutions in the state.
Governor Ododo cautioned against discrimination of any form against Persons With Disabilities and other less privileged members of the society, calling on individuals and organizations to continually support and show empathy toward Persons with disabilities.
