Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development celebrated Spinal Cord Injury Day with donations of wheelchairs and other relief materials to Persons with Disabilities in Ogun.
In a statement made available by our correspondent in Ogun State, the Director of Rehabilitation Services at the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. Adesina Hakeem Adetoye, opened the first ever celebration on the occasion of the year 2020 Spinal Cord Injury Day held at the Women Development Training Centre in Abeokuta on Thursday.
The Permanent Secretary of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi, in her welcome address, said the significance of the event was to give some relief materials to the less privileged ones among the group in order to make them self reliant and a sense of belonging.
She further stated that persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) are a vulnerable lot who are often left to cope with severe complications resulting to poor health outcomes.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Efuwape delivered a keynote speech titled “COVID-19 AND SPINAL CORD INJURY: STAYING WELL”.
According to her, “the aim of observing the day each year was to increase awareness, and understanding of spinal cord Injury issues, and the gains to be derived from interactions by people with spinal cord injuries in every aspect of life.
She said the effects of spinal cord injury, especially on survivors, cannot be overestimated, hence, the need for creating awareness among the general public. In addition, she said the injury increases economic burdens on the victim, and possibly on his or her entire support network. Add to the scenario outcomes of recent COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, and these persons are further pushed down the vulnerability line.
The Honorable State Commissioner did formal presentation of the wheelchairs and relief materials to the beneficiary-participants.