See Yourselves as Equals, Delta Council Boss Tells PWDs on Disability Day

The chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, Friday Ovoke Warri, has urged people with disabilities to see themselves as equal to all human beings created by God.

He encouraged the PWDs to have self-worth on Thursday during the commemoration of the International World Disability Day with physically challenged persons in the Isoko South.

“You all must see yourselves as equal to other human beings created by God almighty, no matter your current challenges”, he said.

In a heartfelt message of hope, Warri, who commemorated the event with over two hundred physically challenged persons at the Otobo hall in the Isoko South local secretariat in Oleh, urged the participants not to feel rejected but be strong and steadfast in all ramifications.

The council chairman emphasized the need to avoid feelings of rejection in the society and know that God loves them and that despite the challenges they face, they should still perceive themselves as equals to every other human beings created by God.

The council chairman however challenged the society to continue to encourage the physically challenged persons, including those with profound physical challenges and assured them that they are esteemed members of the society and that the local government council values and acknowledges their distinctive individual contributions to the local government.

Warri also pledged to engage with the council management to address certain concerns they raised regarding their welfare even as he acknowledged some of the challenges individuals may be facing and encouraged them to overcome and assert their rightful position as members of society, urging them never to be rejected.

Earlier, the chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), Isoko South chapter, Sammy Emmanuel, delivered a speech to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

As they move forward in tandem with the rest of society, they urge all well-meaning Nigerians particularly the good people of Isoko, both at home and in the diaspora to lend their support in realizing their vision for persons with disability.

Emmanuel enumerated the needs for the establishment of skill acquisition centers to equip persons with disabilities with vocational skills, the provision of accessible infrastructure such as toilets and pathways, the creation of a disability desk at the local government to address pertinent issues, and microfinance support and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities as well as encouragement from society to allow them to participate in decision-making.

Emmanuel specifically calls on all women, mothers, and daughters of Isoko both at home and in the diaspora to join them in this noble cause, stating that they are prepared to collaborate to effect meaningful change.

High points of the event was the presentation of an award to the council chairman, Warri by the executive of Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), Isoko South chapter in recognition of his unwavering support since assuming leadership of the Isoko South.

The highpoint of the event also featured a special presentation from disabled learners from Owhara Primary School, Oleh, and the distribution of gift items, such as rice and cash and others by the Warri for your worries administration to all those present, numbering over two hundred persons, to support their wellbeing.