By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ASDRC), Thursday, celebrated their two distinguished staff/ volunteers, Miss Vivian Ezeonwumelu and Miss Chidimma Ajemba who had benefitted from Mandela Washington Fellowship for young African leaders at United States.
Ezeonwumelu was former President of Anambra State Albinism Association (ASAA), a conglomerate of people living with albinism, and Social media secretary to the Commission Chairman before she proceeded for the fellowship programme in 2022; while Miss Chidimma Ajemba, the Commission's public relation officer (PRO) and the head of Media travelled earlier this year for the programme.
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| Ezeonwumelu |
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| Ajemba |
The six-week leadership programme sponsored by the US Government, and merit based, welcomed up to 700 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2024 for a comprehensive executive-style program designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie, while celebrating them at media briefing in Awka, the State capital, explained that they were hopeful that experiences gathered at the programme would contribute immensely in uplifting their members and Anambra society generally.
According to him, the commission would also hire experienced information and communication experts and others to coach and train their staff and volunteers on how to apply or benefits from such kind opportunities as they come in.
He also commended all the friends and associates of the commission, especially the Rule of Law, and Anti-corruption program (RoLAC), a program of the European Union implemented by International IDEA for sponsoring accessibility audit research of Ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in Anambra state, the result of which he said were currently yielding fruit and bringing solution to accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in the State.
"The Commission is grateful to Dr Lady Pat. Okeke, a member of the Commission and the wife of Chief G.U Okeke who built and donated two classroom and hostel blocks to Central School (Special School for the Deaf) Odakpu Onitsha. For two years in a role, the staff and volunteers of the Commission have benefited from Mandela Washington Fellowship for young African leaders," he noted.
He also disclosed that the commission has at end of their recent quarterly meeting resolved to setup fund and implement other initiatives geared towards uplifting the persons living with disabilities (PWDs) across 326 electoral wards as part of efforts to drive governor Chukwuma Soludo's agenda to provide liveable and prosperous city to all.
According to him, the committee which was as stipulated by Section 16 of the Anambra State Disability Rights Law 2018, would be headed by Bishop Moses Ezedebeago, a member of the Commission, as Chairman.
He listed other initiatives to be implemented by the Commission to include appointment of commission liaison officers (CLOs) in 326 electoral wards, 179 communities, 21 Local government areas, and maintaining regular collaborations with local government chairmen, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious institutions, among others.
"We are determined to pulling persons with disabilities out of poverty using establishment of Access Market Pavilion (AMP); cooperative society for persons with disabilities; credit facilities for entrepreneurs with disabilities; trade fair for merchants and skilled persons with disabilities; and others," he added.
He further commended governor Chukwuma Soludo for employing PWDs in the State civil service, including enrollment of their members in the ongoing one youth two skills scheme, inclusion in distribution of cash crops, among others, assuring that plans were on the way to ensure all public places are accessible as provided by the law.
The Commission, according to Ezewuzie, had at their quarterly meeting, reviewed and revised all activities of the commission implementing the " Solution Vision for persons with Disabilities in Anambra State".
"The Commission will continue, expand, and intensify effort to bring Mr. Governor's Solution Vision to persons with Disabilities in 326 political wards of Anambra State. These activities bring disability services to the grass root as desired by Mr. Governor," he added.