Benin City – A Non-governmental organization, under the aegis of Network for the Advancement of Persons With Visible Disabilities (NAPVID) on Wednesday inaugurated it social protection program, tagged “Project Help”.
The project which is in collaboration with Edo State Government was inaugurated in Benin City, the state capital by the permanent secretary of Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs Dorcas Idehen, who represented Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The governor said the project was conceived to provide support to persons with disabilities, adding, the state government commitment to integrate persons with disabilities into governance triggered the birthing of the project.
According to him, “this administration pays attention to the concerns of the vulnerable in the society to promote the principle of social inclusiveness”, he said, while delivering his address.
NAPVID executive director, Melody Omosah stated that ‘Project Help’ was initiated to remove barriers that hinders PWDs from achieving their full potentials in the society.
Omosah said “help is an acronym for Health, Education, Livelihood and in some instances given Palliatives; to indigent persons with disabilities who will need the assistance of this project.
“emphasis is being laid on having institutional reforms that would lead to inclusive governance.”
He noted that the project will benefit 4,000 persons, “but looking at it, in the long run reaching over 10,000 persons.”
Earlier in his remarks, chairman of it board of Trustees, retired Justice Peter Isibor charged beneficiaries to make judicious use of whatever they are empowered with, to encourage others to support the project.
In the same vein, chairman of Joint National Association of Persons Living With Disabilities (JONAPWD) in the state, Ann Ojugo called for the inclusion of PWDs in rural areas in the program, to check rural urban migration of members.
Highpoints of the inauguration was the project’s flag off by Mrs Idehen, as well as presentation of cheques and other items as empowerment and tuition fees to beneficiaries.
