Rivers
NGO Harps On Children With Special Needs’ Empowerment
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Lifeline Organisation for Children Empowerment (LOCE) has appealed to parents, owners of private schools and the Rivers State Government to empower children with special needs to enable them attain full potentials in life.
The Executive Director, LOCE, Ngozi Chukwuka Obiyo made the call during the 2017 International Day of Persons With Disabilities’ celebration, with the theme: ‘Transformation Rewards Sustainable Resilient Society for All’ in Port Harcourt, recently.
She noted that if all relevant stakeholders would pay attention to children with special needs and integrate them into all programmes in the society, everyone would live happily without having any ill-feeling of neglect or discrimination by members of the society.
“Lots of barriers have been placed on persons with special needs both from home and the society. These barriers are classified as both parental and societal rejection, lack of education as a result of unfriendly environment, lack of appropriate health support and early intervention programmes, among others.
“When these barriers are removed and they are empowered, they will participate in societal life and their communities will benefit from them,” she added.
She called on the society to have change of attitude towards people with special needs by putting to an end the stigmatisation they suffered.
“When kids with disabilities are admitted into schools, when they learn together with their peers, and their peers learn to accept and play with them as part of their existence, then they are developed in such a way that they manifest their God-given potentials. This is why LOCE is closing the gap by bringing kids with special needs to play with the other kids.”
She commended LOCE in ensuring that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 became a reality, and also expressed gratitude to LOCE partners, sponsors, friends, volunteers and families, who contributed their resources and talents to make Play, Learn And Grow (PLAG)Season (4) a huge success.
Similarly a development practitioner and a participant of PLAG Season 4 Mrs Egondu Esiwoke said December 3rd had been set aside annually for the World International Day celebration for People with Disability.
She enumerated some of the things done by LOCE as giving medical support for the musculoskeletal challenged children (Surgery and Physiotherapy); providing life skill; building the child’s self esteem; organising capacity building for parents and guardians of physically challenged children on good parenting skills, among others.
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in the State, has raised an alarm over the increase of incest in the State.
The Acting Chairman of FIDA in the State, Nnenna Igbokwe told newsmen that the organisation discovered this during their sensitisation programme about the VAAP Law.
Igbokwe said at least three of the incest cases are before court of competent jurisdiction.
The Acting FIDA Chairman also said that the accused especially, fathers use threat to silence cases of incest in their family.
She however, advised security agencies to do due diligence in their investigation of the incest matters.
The State Deputy Governor and foundation member of Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has received the new MWAN’s, National President-elect, Prof. Rosemary Ogu.
The Deputy Governor received Prof Ogu in her office at Government House, Port Harcourt, and congratulated the team on the victory.
She also presented gifts to the National President-elect.
Earlier, the 22nd National President-elect of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Prof Romary Ogu had promised to work hard to take the association to enviable heights.
In another development, the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has also received her 22nd MWAN Biennial Conference registration materials from Dr Vetty Agala, the President of MWAN in the State
The Tide reports that the State delegation included MWAN’s, Rivers State Founder/Initiator, Dr Bernadette Korubo, a life member of the association, Dr Nnesochi Offor who is also another life member, past President of the State, past National Treasurer and MWAN mentor 2021.
Other delegates led by the State President, Dr Vetty Agala were Dr Obelebra Adebiyi, immediate past State Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association and past President, MWAN, Rivers State, Dr Ibimonye Porbeni, the immediate past MWAN President in the State and Dr Ireju Ajie, the Secretary of MWAN in the State.
The State branch of MWAN will be hosting the 23rd biennial conference in September, 2023.
As the build up to the Krakrama Youths Association’s election gathers momentum, the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Hon. Onengiyeofori George, has sued for peace amongst parties.
The Tide learnt that security intelligence from the Krakrama community revealed that rancour and crisis were looming as a result of the forthcoming youth election in the community thus, if treated with levity may degenerate into a crisis situation in the community.
Sequel to the impending fracas allegedly caused by the pre-election irregularities, the Asari- Toru Local Government Area boss in line with his constitutional duty of maintaining peace and order as the Chief Security Officer in the Local Government Area has ordered for a fresh start of the process.
Speaking in a meeting with the Amanyanabo of Krakrama Community, King Iwari Gibson Bala, the CDC Chairman, Comrade Victor Membere and the outgoing Youth President of Krakrama Youth Association, Comrade Ikalaso Tomitamunoa, the Council boss ordered for the nullification of the Electoral Commitee appointed by the outgoing executives of the Krakrama Youth Association.
He further asked the Amanyanabo of Krakrama Community to liaise with the relevant stakeholders to appoint a credible, neutral and acceptable Electoral Committee that will oversee the elections.
Moreover, the Council Chairman directed that the aspirants who had purchased forms already still stand as status quo still remains.
For fairness, the new Electoral Committee to be appointed has been directed to give one week of grace to aspirants for continuous sale of forms.
By: Theresa Frederick & Wokoma Emmanuel
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