Imo State Disability community, under the aegis of Joint National Association of persons with Disabilities, (JONAPWD), Imo State chapter has honoured Reverend father Valentine Ogubuike, one of the Catholic Priests in Orlu diocese.
Presenting the award, JONAPWD, Imo State Chairman, Hon Bright Uzoma described the Priest as an epitome of humility and compassion.
He further stated that the Priest had been taking care of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) since 2009 especially those who were bedridden. Starting from PWDs in Orlu zone and expanding to State level.
He also recalled how Fr. Val, as he’s fondly called, distributed over 1000 mobilty Aids( wheelchairs, crutches, cane guides) to indigent PWDs over the years and had refused to allow it go press because, according to him ‘publicising such amounts to taking the glory due God’.
Responding, Rev. Fr. Val thanked the Disability Community for recognising his little but sincere contributions towards helping humanity. He described PWDs as his beloved friends.
He stated that his passion for PWDs especially those who are bedridden doesn’t owe to his calling as a Priest, rather, it is something that runs in the family line. He disclosed that his sister, also a Reverend in the Catholic church is currently running a School for the partially Blind and Hard of Hearing free of charge.
Rev. Fr. Val also asserted that he is currently building a center in collaboration with some of his friends where persons who are bedridden would be comprehensively cared for by providing for their spiritual wellbeing, food and medications and that of their care givers. He finally urged the Disabled Community to always hold tenaciously to God because according to him, God is our source of existence and He knows whatever anyone is going through in life.
Imo State JONAPWD admitted that taking this news to press was going against the humble wish of Rev. Fr. Val. This was however to remind others of the Scripture which says that ‘Whatsoever you do for the least of your brothers, that you do unto me”.