Benin city – No fewer than 44 persons had recently benefitted from the award of Scholarships and grants worth about N2m for the education of children with disabilities in Edo state by Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID).
The President of NAPVID, Barr Melody Omosah made this known in Benin, during the 6th NAPVID Education Fund (NEF) Scholarships and cash disbursement.
Barr Omosah said, the grants provided through the NAPVID Education Fund was aimed at enabling children with special needs to realise their dreams of getting quality education.
The beneficiaries, drawn from students in higher institutions, primary school pupils and secondary schools
in Edo State, Omosah noted, is not inclusive of the daily intervention carry out in the lives of students with disabilities.
Omosah, while commending Edo State Government for its support for persons with visual impairment, explained that, the awardees were selected based on their abilities to learn, financial backgrounds and availability of funds.
According to the NAPVID President, “We are interested in championing the cause of the education of children with disabilities, by ensuring that their tuition and accommodation are provided without waiting for a formal gathering.
“We have our criteria, one of which is that you must be indigent. It must be a situation where it behoves on us to intervene in your education because you do not have an alternative.”
In her address, Wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, advised the persons living with disabilities not to allow their physical conditions to hinder their ability to make meaningful contributions to the society.
Mrs. Obaseki, represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Mariam Shaibu, however reinstated the State Government’s to the development of persons with special needs.
