The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. James Lalu, and the NEDC's Managing Director/CEO, Ambassador Goni Mohammed Alkali, during the symbolic presentation of assistive devices to persons with disabilities in Borno State.
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) in collaboration with the National Commission For Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) have distributed 188 assistive devices and cash interventions to persons with disabilities in Borno State.
Each beneficiary received N50,000 in cash support, disbursed directly into their personal bank accounts.
At the distribution ceremony held at Forshams Banquet Hall in Maiduguri, NEDC’s Managing Director/CEO, Ambassador Goni Mohammed Alkali, announced that similar exercises would be held in the remaining North East states, including Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, and Taraba.
Executive Director of Humanitarian Affairs at NEDC, Umar Sani Tashin, highlighted the devastating impact of the Boko Haram insurgency on the North East region, resulting in massive displacement and infrastructure destruction.
Tashin acknowledged the resilience of persons living with disabilities and pledged continued support.
He said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards inclusivity and empowerment.”
“As we gather here for the distribution of assistive devices to persons living with disabilities in the North East region, we reaffirm the tools needed to live with dignity and independence commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of his/her challenges.
“These assistive devices are more than just tools, they are instruments of freedom and opportunity. They represent our collective effort to break down barriers and create pathways for full participation in society.
“Whether it is a wheelchair enabling mobility, a hearing aid restoring communication, or a prosthetic limb restoring.movement, each device embodies our shared commitment to inclusivity.
“Since its inception, the North East Development Commission has been in the vanguard of protecting, supporting and promoting the welfare and interest of vulnerable groups.
” Specific Divisions were established handling different categories of vulnerable groups such as women, orphans, youths and of course persons living with disabilities,” Umar said.
The Executive Director, further, said that,” Beside the provision of relief to their members in society, several interventions with their interest in mind have been designed and implemented by the NEDC.”
According to him, the latest among many was the commissioning of an ophthalmology center at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi State.
“Today, we celebrate not just the distribution of devices, but the empowerment of individuals. With each device placed in a capable hand, we are fostering resilience and self-reliance.
“We are opening doors to education, employment and community engagement and most importantly, we are affirming the inherent worth and potential of every person living with a disability.
“Disability is a complex and multifaceted encompassing physical, mental, sensory or intellectual impairment that, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal bases with others.
“Person living with disabilities often face significant challenges, including stigmatization, discrimination and lack of accessibility to infrastructure and services.
On his part, the Borno State Chairman of the Persons with Disabilities, Mohammed Abubakar, expressed gratitude to NEDC for their assistance and appealed for more direct support to the association.
The event featured symbolic distribution and presentation of assistive devices and cash, as well as group photographs.”
