Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has ordered for a budgetary provision for scholarships for Persons with Disabilities in the State.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie disclosed this in a town hall meeting held at Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka. The meeting was attended by selected leaders and representatives of different disability clusters in the community to discuss government policies, as well as processes and procedures for accessing Government programmes.
Speaking at the occasion, Ezewuzie remarked that Government’s Disability Inclusive policies have created a new dawn for Persons with Disabilities in Anambra State.
During interactive sessions, Barrister Ezewuzie reminded the leaders of the Governor’s seven-point agenda for the State’s PWD as acronymed in the word EMPOWER:
E for Employment,
M for Mobility & Mobilization,
P for Position,
O for Opportunity,
W for Willpower,
E for Education and
R for Relationship.
He noted that Governor Obiano has touched every aspect of these agenda with laudable achievements.
“We are all aware of ongoing employment of Persons with Disability in the State. This was made possible by Governor Obiano (Ogugua Ndị Olusi). Meanwhile, the number keeps increasing.
“He also continues to mobilize and position Persons with Disabilities through subventions to Disability Organizations and empowerment of PWD entrepreneurs.
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“The Governor has given us (PWDs) the opportunity to be part of decision making processes by creating Office of the Governor for Disability Matters as well as appointing several of our leaders to his cabinet, including the State Executive Council.
“Through the prompt passage of the Disability Right Law in December 2018, we now have the Willpower to advocate for our rights and also work towards implementation of these laws. Ndị Anambra with disabilities are no longer left out. We now have both voice and vote.
“It’s now a matter of Rights and Law for every Person with Disability in Anambra to be educated. The Governor has made a budgetary provision for scholarships, and I’m working with the Ministry of Education to ensure full implementation of the scheme in all schools.
“Society’s narrative towards PWDs is changing because our Governor has made disabilities issues like accessibility a matter of Rights instead of charity. People are beginning to accommodate and appreciate persons with disabilities.
“The Disability Community can now easily relate with the Governor, his wife – Osodieme and Principal Officers of his administration. His Excellency has demonstrated a heart for Persons with Disabilities. He prioritizes matters of Ndị Anambra with disabilities and holds them in high regards”, Barrister Ezewuzie said.
He also urged them to always forward any matter affecting Persons with Disabilities to the Office of the Governor on Disability Matters – reaffirming that the office is ever ready to intervene in anyway possible.