By Judith Eze
The Wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has charged persons with disabilities to reactivate their talents to become self reliant.
Mrs. Nwifuru made the call during a visit to members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, where she handed cash gifts and over 300 bags of rice to them.
The governor’s wife who was represented by the Commissioner for budget in the state, Mrs Chinwe Okah, urged the group to harness their gifts and utilize them for their well-being, rather than looking down on themselves and engaging in self-pity.
She assured the group of the state government’s readiness to work with the organization to empower persons with disabilities.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator of the Beyond Disability Project, Mr. Steve Ezeh, disclosed the federal government’s readiness to assist people with disabilities through skills development and empowerment programs.
Ezeh explained that the project, launched in June 2024, aims to empower persons with disabilities by building their mindset, promoting attitudinal change, and inculcating values that would enable them to step into the life they desire.
The project, Ezeh said, would involve data capturing, awareness campaigns about the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, talent development and skill acquisition programs to help persons with disabilities become self-reliant, noting that the initiative would be taken to the grassroots level to ensure that no one is left behind.
Ezeh emphasized that the project would focus on building the confidence of persons with disabilities and promoting self-reliance, rather than just providing cosmetic empowerment.
He expressed optimism that the project would make a significant impact in Ebonyi State and improve the lives of persons with disabilities.
