Gov Ortom, Wife Give Hope To The Hopeless

By Solomon Ayado

— Dec 20, 2015
People living with disabilities and some with special needs in Benue State have been provided assistance to enhance their well-being and uplift their living conditions.

The living conditions of persons with varied physical deficiencies has been a major source of worry to the state government.

In the preparedness of the government and relevant agencies to provide the health needs of this category of people, several measures have been taken.

People with physical special needs grapple with neglect, and stigmatisation in the society.

While several of the persons living with disabilities indulge in crafts, business and academic pursuits to improve their lots, others are faced with deplorable physically challenged conditions that hinder them from engaging in productive ventures that can add value to national growth.

The people, especially those living in the rural areas lack basic amenities of life, such as water, electricity, rural roads and functional educational institutions. They also suffer varied diseases.

To bring an end to this ,the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has thought it wise to give priority attention to the enhancement of the life of people living with disabilities and other physical needs as captured in the five cardinal points of the governor’s administration blueprint.

At a time that the agrarian state and country is faced with serious economic challenges, this category of people need urgent measures that could alleviate their poor living conditions.

To complement the government’s efforts in this regard, the wife of the state governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom engaged in a partnership with the Benue State Rehabilitation Board to see to the various needs of the physically challenged persons. The occasion of presentation of wheel chairs and other relevant items to the disabled persons was held at the New Banquet Hall of the People’s House, Makurdi.

Mrs Ortom said the promotion of natural values and provision of basic amenities to the people and those living with disabilities was critical to the administration of her husband, saying her role will be to complement every effort of government to improve the lives of the populace.

Scores of government functionaries, political stakeholders, religious and traditional institution leaders, witnessed the distribution of the items to over 200 persons living with disabilities.

Mrs Ortom appealed to relevant agencies to give priority attention to the rehabilitation of the physically challenged in the state and country.

Apart from the wheel chairs, other items such as food stuff and toiletries were distributed to the beneficiaries.

The physically challenged persons were made to understand that there is ability in their disabilities.

Governor Ortom during the occasion appointed a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on people with disabilities and special needs, Mr Charles Sati.

This, the governor, said would enable government to identify their challenges and tackle such problems accordingly.

Also, the governor donated vehicles to the Benue State Rehabilitation Board to ease their transportation problems.

The executive secretary of the board, Mrs Tabitha Nevkaa appealed to the government to revamp the agency.

Ortom maintained that the uplift of people living with physical challenges is one of the major cardinal points of his administration and assured that he will continue to provide succor to the less-privileged and be a beacon of hope to them.

“God has brought me to this level by His own making, because I am from a minute village in Guma L.G.A; where anyone would not believe such a person would come from but I continue to keep my trust in God. And so you are very special people, with your disabilities you can still make it in life. So nobody should intimidate you.

“The provision of adequate care to disabled persons and people with special needs is the priority of my administration because it is also included in the five cardinal points of our blue print. Our collective vision for Benue,” Ortom stated.

He, however, urged the disabled to engage in meaningful ventures in order to add value to the society. He said such step would not only provide economic gains to them, but enhance their self fulfillment.

posted by Teryila Ibn Apine

She try, make she kwantinue such generosity mehn

wow

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