People living with disabilities in Anambra state under the auspices of Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), have declared war against alms begging, vowing to lead campaign to get members out off the streets.
President of the association, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, who doubles as President of Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (APPD), disclosed this in Awka, at the end of APPD monthly meeting on Wednesday, adding that people with any form of disability should be encouraged to utilize their talents not through streets begging.
“We don’t want self-pity. We believe that everyone is somebody. We encourage parents to stop hiding their children and wards who have any form of disability. They should not be used to beg for alms. We encourage our members to come out and join this association which is one among other civil societies groups under JONAPD. We educate our members on how to live their live like every other person. Some of us have been employed by the state government.
“We organise different training to equip and empower our members to become self-sufficient and employers of labour. So, those begging at the street should come out and join us. We feel ashamed seen how they are used to beg for alms. Luckily, Anambra state government has signed the Disabilities Rights Law. We are advocating for its full implementation which we know our disability friendly governor is working on it,” he stated.
On the World polio day which the association equally commemorated, Okeke said, “October 24th every year is World Polio day but we couldn’t celebrate it on the appointed date due to other official engagements. We thank the Rotary Club International on their relentless efforts to end Polio which has been on for over 40 years.
“We are appealing to them to beam their searchlight on us, the sufferers. Some of us have health challenges like respiratory issues, breathing difficulty and others. We advocate for free Medicare and provision of facilities. We need mobility aides like motorcycle to ease our movement. There are places where this could be manufactured in large quantity at Nnewi.”
Earlier in a lecture, Dr Uche Onyejimbe, Head of Community Health represented by Dr Chijioke Obagha, Anambra State Epidemiologist, adviced parents to always make their children available for immunisation.
