Chairman, LOC, Sir David Osunde Foundation
Photo: Daniel Adejo/Radio Nigeria
A Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Sir David Osunde Foundation, has said no fewer than 1,500 Persons With Disability (PWD), drawn from across the country, would be empowered at its 31st Edition of Special Easter Monday celebration.
The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Mr Ikem Uchegbulam, made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Uchegbulam said there would be skills acquisition programs, scholarships and support materials like wheelchairs and crutches among other things for PWDs.
The chairman said the aim is to impact them spiritually, materially and meet their basic welfare as the foundation was pushing for the creation of a ministry that would address the needs of PWDs.
According to him, though there is a commission for PWDs but there is the need to create awareness but emphasised the need for the next government to create the ministry to meet the needs of PWDs.
“The six-hour event will hold on April 10 at the Holy Family Society National Pilgrimage Centre at Gosa, Sabin-Lugbe in Abuja at noon.
“The event will begin with a mass, to be celebrated by the Arch Bishop of Abuja Diocese, Bishop Ignatious Kaigama, and John Cardinal John Onayiekan.
“The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, is the guest of honour and Mrs Geogiana Ogbutor is Mother of the Day,” he said.
He said any PWDs within the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions were free to apply after which thorough screening would be done to give the right persons opportunity to benefit.
The Organising Secretary, Mr Mallam Muazu, said the foundation was not a Christian institution but opened to other religion.
He said though Easter was a Christian event, the celebration cuts across all religions, saying that 90 per cent of the beneficiaries were Muslims.
Muazu added that what has kept the foundation going in the past 31 years was consistency, truthfulness and togetherness.
Reporting by Daniel Adejo; Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade