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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Igbo women have appealed to both federal and state governments to create more employment opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWD).
They also emphasised the importance of providing microcredit facilities to enable these individuals to start their own businesses.
The call was made by the President General and founder of Umuada Igbo Nigeria and Diaspora, Kate Ezeofor, during a Christmas charity outreach at the Holy Trinity Parish in Independence Layout, Enugu.
Ezeofor said the initiative aimed to bring persons with disabilities, indigent women, orphans and the elderly together to offer them a space to celebrate, enjoy meals, and receive transport assistance as part of the festive season.
He expressed concern over the economic struggles which many Nigerians are facing and wondered how those with disabilities and the less privileged were coping.
“We are here today because things are very difficult and when I see how I am finding it difficult to manage it disturbs me how those with disability and less privileged people will survive the situation.
“So, Umuada Igbo decided that we will be having Christmas charity outreach every year for persons with disability, indigent women, elderly people and others.
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“The idea was to bring them together because I know how the average Nigerian finds it difficult to feed and our own is to bring them here, give them food, transport fee to help them have sense of belonging in the society and as well know that Christmas is here.
“Umuada Igbo Nigeria and in Diaspora are pleading with the federal and state government to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and gives them microcredit to start up their various business enterprises,” she said.
In his remark, Linus Ezeofor expressed happiness seeing the indigent women, PWD and less privileged people dancing during the event, vowing that he would never be angry since God has better his life.
He, however, expressed worry over the present situation of Nigeria, saying I knew Nigeria when it was good before traveling abroad.
He charged the leaders to rethink, be selfless and think about those that put them in the position, the commoners because there is hunger in the country.
“I am very much impressed when I see them coming up to take pictures with joy in their heart and I tell my God to forgive me anytime I feel bad. Since these people can feel happy, why wouldn’t I be happy every time because God has done so much for us.
“My major problem is with Nigeria. I saw Nigeria when it was in a good shape, when everything was cheap. I remember when N1000 was $12 but now $1 is N1600. We have leaders that are self centered that don’t think of the masses and the moment God gives us a good leader, no country will compete with Nigeria because we have all the mineral resources.”
One of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Ikechukwu, thanked the group, saying, “I didn’t expect it. They gave us a befitting recognition that never happened before.”
