From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has promised to continue to give equal opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of physical challenges and warned against stigmatisation of people living with disabilities.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade Arike gave the warning yesterday during the presentation of letter of appointment to Arome Ibrahim Daniel as the Chairman of the state Board for Disabled Affairs in her office in Lokoja.
The SSG noted that , the Act that established the board was designed to cater for the well-being of those with special needs.
While congratulating the board chairman and the entire members of the physically challenged persons for the taking off of the board, assured them of government commitment to change their lives and to guarantee equal opportunities for all the people of the state.
She admonished them to consider themselves as most able to realise their God given potentials, and not to look at their physical challenge as an impediment.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of the board Arome Ibrahim Daniel commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for the setting of the board to include all the citizens of the state in Governance and assured him of their loyalty and support for the administration.
According to him, all the disabled and physical challenge persons are solidly behind the presidential aspiration of Gov. Bello to re-enact his performance in the state to the federation.
In his own remark, Comrade Solomon Yahaya,, Chairman Joint National Association of persons with disabilities, kogi state, expressed gratitude over the setting up of the office to care for those with special needs, and pray that in the nearest future it will be turned to a full fledged ministry.
He described the new board chairman as trusted , humble and experience that will move the board forward, while thanking the Governor for the appointment which he said is a square peg in a square hole.
While assuring the government of the ability of the new board chairman to deliver on his mandate, the ex Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Disabilities applauded the Governor for creating a window for the disabled to unleash their potentials and to arouse their consciousness to believe that there is ability in disabilities.