Anthonia Duru
National President Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, Obioja Ononogbu, has lamented that Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) are the worst hit by the COVID-19 outbreak.
He made this submission, on Tuesday, when Bomarah Foundation donated items and cash to different clusters of PLWDs. According to Ononogbu, PLWDs needs are never priotised hence government did not really consider PLWDs during the lockdown. “PLWDs suffered more during the lockdown. Life was very difficult for us because we were never considered. We need mobility aid and we also need to be assisted.
“We are not beggars; we need to be empowered so we can comfortably fend for ourselves. We call on relevant government agencies to make provision for us,” he said.
In the same vein, entrepreneur and Chairman Bomarah Foundation, Hajiya Bola Muse, called on government to create seed money for PLWDs to embark on profitable ventures.
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“The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), should be ready to defend the cause of every disabled person in the country with especially with regard to discrimination or neglect.
“In view of this there is urgent need for seed money for Persons with disabilities to start off different ventures.
“There is need to tackle poverty among PLWD in the country. The only solution is to empower PLWD through training and skill acquisitions. Developing enterprise among PLWDs is the viable way of tackling poverty,” Muse said.
Also speaking at the event, which had in attendance the Ojora of Ojoraland, Oba Aremu Aromire, elugosised management of Bomorah Foundation and Muse for identifying with PLWDs, the monarch further called on other kind-spirited individuals to emulate the Foundation.
In his goodwill remark, Chairman of Apapa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Elijah Adele, commended management of Bomarah foundation for the initiative, he announced to all present that his administration is also planing to give grants to small businesses.
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Speaking in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Muse explained that she was committed to the well-being of PLWDs because they are unique and they can contribute to the development of every society.
The foundation gave out food items, toiletries and cash to 15 clusters of PLWDs.
Bomarah Foundation is committed to ensuring that PLWDs are trained and assisted with working tools and grants to earn a living and excel. Bomarah Foundation also aims to create awareness and sensitise the people not to look down on PLWDs.
