Mrs. Otu fulfils promise to disability group
Emmanuel Alfred
Members of the Progressives Disability Advocates have benefitted from the benevolence of the Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Rev (Mrs) Eyoanwan Otu as she donated walking aids to them .
Reverend Otu, who made the presentation of six wheel chairs and 3 crutches to the group during a visit to her office in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria said it was in fulfilment of an earlier promise made to the group.
According to her: “I made a commitment to improve the living conditions of people living with disabilities in the State the last time we met after you made demands to secure walking aids for your members which I have fulfilled today.
“It has always been earnest desire to provide succor to vulnerable people and I do hope that these wheelchairs will go a long way to alleviating your pains and enable you move around easily especially as you go about your daily living.”
Mrs. Otu added that the aids were donated through one of her Pet Projects known as ‘Humanity Beyond Borders Initiative’ targeted at vulnerable groups and key populations in Cross River State.
Responding to the gesture, the Director General of the Progressives Disability Advocates, Mr. Offiong Okon expressed appreciation to the Wife of the Governor, Reverend Otu for the commitment to provide access to aids for easy mobility.
Okon stated that besides other challenges, members experience difficulty moving around to achieve daily simple task due to their lack of financial capabilities to provide the necessary walking aids for themselves.
Okon, who described the gesture as remarkable in their lives since the request was made barely two weeks ago, said, “Her Excellency has graciously provided us with the most important of our request. In fact, we are really overjoyed by your kindness. We do not take it for granted as we see this as a sign of better things to come.”
In separate remarks, the Special Adviser on Administration, Dr. Comfort Oko and the Special Assistant Non-governmental Organisation, Mr. Jeffrey Adamade noted that the walking aids were to ease the movement of some of the members, while damaged wheelchairs, walkers and crutches would be replaced soon.
They urged the group to exercise patience with the governor Bassey Otu administration as several empowerment schemes would be unveiled for the benefit of their members and the general population.
