The President of Special Persons Association of Nigeria (SPAN), Mr. PrinceWill David has called on Federal, state governments, corporate bodies, and philanthropic organisations to provide financial support to assist SPAN complete several ongoing projects.
Also, the association’s National Coordinator, Pastor Chidi Nwankwo has called for a societal shift in the way people with disabilities are treated, stressing the need for their inclusion in key sectors of Nigerian life. According to Nwankwo, it is vital that persons with disabilities are given access to voting rights, employment, legal defense, and educational opportunities, including scholarships.
The financial support, according to David, is required for executing projects which include the construction of a borehole, the purchase of motor vehicles, medical treatment for members, and renovations for welfare facilities, all of which are crucial in Nigeria’s current challenging economic climate. The President of SPAN made this appeal during the 32nd Annual International Excellence Awards and Anniversary which was held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos recently.
The event, themed ‘Joyful Noise,’ attracted prominent individuals and organisations dedicated to the empowerment of persons with disabilities. In his welcome address, the SPAN President emphasised the association’s long-standing commitment to recognising excellence among people with disabilities and their supporters.
He also outlined the association’s plans to establish a vocational training center aimed at empowering persons with disabilities. On his part, Pastor Nwankwo who was also present highlighted the pressing financial challenges facing the association, which have stalled several important initiatives.
“The association needs substantial capital to move forward with its projects and services,” he said. These projects include the annual awards ceremony, seminars, exhibitions, medical outreaches, annual general meetings, crusades, special sports events, and arts and crafts programmes. Nwankwo stated that persons with disability must also be able to access public buildings such as banks, car parks, and other critical facilities.
He made a particular appeal for the reallocation of land in Ewu Elepe, Ikorodu, where a vocational training center for persons with disabilities had been proposed but was recently encroached upon by a road construction project. The event concluded with the presentation of awards to individuals and organisations that have excelled in supporting people with disabilities.
Among the awardees were Miss Olukemi Odunuga, a visually impaired journalist with Cool FM; Mr. Ariyo Samuel, Financial Secretary of the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria (SCIAN); Nigerian Girl Guides’ Special School; Down Syndrome Foundation; and Catherine Booth School. Eko Hotels & Suits, the venue for the event, also received recognition for its contribution to the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The awards served not only as a moment of celebration but also as a rallying cry for increased advocacy and support for the disabled community in Nigeria. Pastor Nwankwo ended his remarks by encouraging the audience to continue pushing for equality in all aspects of life, stressing those financial and structural barriers must be dismantled to create a more inclusive society.
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