Borno Restates Commitment To Support Persons With Disabilities

NYHQ2008-1062The Deputy Governor of Borno, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, on Wednesday, reiterated the state government’s commitment to empower persons with disabilities so as to keep them away from begging.

Mustapha said this during the distribution of food items to 300 persons with disabilities, organised by Hajiya Nana Shettima SWOT Foundation in Maiduguri.

The Foundation was the pet project of the Borno governor’s wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima.

The deputy governor commended Shettima for the various support she had given to widows, orphans and Tsangaya (Islamic education) pupils in the state.

He said that the state government was determined to ensure that all grievances and problems were carefully looked into to enable the targeted persons to have a sense of belonging.

He added that “we will ensure your application on the provision of office blocks and utility bus is carefully taken care of.

“I also want you to take a list of those of you that are in need of wheel chairs so that we can take care of that immediately.

“I, therefore, urge you not to feel abandoned because the government of Borno will support you”.

Hajiya Ladi Musa, a resource person, appealed to well-meaning members of the society, government and NGOs to assist the less privileged members of the society.

Musa commended Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno for supporting persons with disabilities and for appointing one as adviser.

She said more than 250 persons with disabilities had been trained in various skills and empowered.

Meanwhile 88 vulnerable women had graduated in different institutes under Shettima’s administration.

Alhaji Umar Mahmoud, the Borno Chairman of Persons with Disabilities, commended the gesture of the state government.

Mahmoud appealed to the state government to employ its members in the state civil service to enable them to contribute their quota to the development of the state. (NAN)