Group Donates Wheelchairs To Home

Some physically challenged children in Lagos, southwest Nigeria now have cause to  smile as the Women Forum of Eko Club International, United States chapter, recently  donated 30 wheelchairs, 16 walkers and 15 hearing aids to them.

The wife of the Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola received the items from the club and  commended the club for its gesture to the physically challenged children.

The donation was made to the Physically Challenged Home for Children, currently  undergoing construction at Mile 12 area of the state.

Mrs Fashola called on other private sector bodies to emulate the club and donate to  help the physically challenged.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, Mrs Joke  Orelope-Adefulire commended the club for the gesture. She said the establishment of  a multipurpose home for physically and mentally challenged children was borne out of  the belief that all children, irrespective of their physically and mental status,  must be given the chance of survival, development and protection by government and  every member of the society.

“It is therefore against this backdrop that your organisation’s enthusiasm for this  laudable initiative and effort for the physically challenged young members of our  society is highly commendable.

“On completion, this home will accommodate 100-bed space dormitories, a model  clinic, physiotherapy clinic, audiology clinic, formal educational classrooms, a  canteen and recreational centre,” Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by the  Permanent Secretary, WAPA, Mrs Riskat Akiode said.

According to her, “phase II of this project will provide a skill acquisition centre  at the home to enable children acquire skills in different vocations of choice.”

She called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies and others to emulate the  club and come to the aid of the vulnerable in the society, adding that “there is  always an ability to be tapped beneath our challenges.”

President, Eko Club International, Zainudeen Aromire, said the organisation had been  in the crusade of bettering the lives of less privileged Nigerians, adding that the  club in the last seven days had carried a medical mission in Lagos, in which about  20, 000 people were screened for various ailments.

—By Kazeem Ugbodaga

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