One of the foremost NGO offering assistance to persons with disabilities in Nigeria, Sir David Osunde Foundation (SDOF) marked their 30th Years Anniversary of her Easter Monday National Celebration in Abuja yesterday with donation of 120 tricycles, over 200 scholarship, food items and clothes to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja.
The event which took place at Holy Family Pilgrimage Centre at Gosa, Lugbe, Abuja witnessed the presence of Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, His eminence Cardinal Onaiyekan, over 500 persons with disabilities of different clusters and from different Area Councils of FCT including other dignitaries.
Dr Anthony Osunde, who represented the founder and president of the foundation, Sir David Osunde told the press that the foundation in her activities for 30 years have successfully created awareness among millions of Nigerians that persons with disabilities are created in the same image of God, like every other human being.
Speaking further, he called on government, individuals and the private sector to provide for the marginalized, especially persons with disabilities by creating more opportunity for them to realize their potentials.
Dr. Anthony who is the son of the founder, Sir David Osunde called on all and sundry join and develop programmes and activities that would be beneficial to persons with disabilities.
Dame Pauline Tallen, the Minister of Women Affairs while speaking to the press urged Nigerians to show more love and compassion to the less privileged especially persons with disabilities.
She said that whatever you give out will surely come back because God loves the cheerful giver.
“We can make this world a beautiful place by making this class of people happy, reaching out to them, making them feel at home and making them feel part of us all they need most is us, if we can share love we will have peace, what we lack in Nigeria is love, because if there is love all things will go well, there will be no war, there will be understanding, progress and development”.
She also urged Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper and put smiles on the faces of the unfortunate ones who found themselves in hopeless situation,”.
She commended the foundation for being there always for persons with disabilities saying 30 years of bring succor and building the hope of persons with disabilities in Nigeria is highly commendable.
The Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan who celebrated the mass before the distribution of the items, commended the foundation for being steadfast in offering assistance to persons with disabilities he said that 30 years is a long time and a foundation who have maintain the momentum for such a long time deserved all the commendations and the milestone is worthy to be emulated.
Speaking further, Cardinal Onaiyekan who represented Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama called on well-meaning Nigerians and Christians of goodwill with God given talent to join politics to provide needed leadership which has been Nigeria’s problem.
He said that it is unfortunate that politics have been left for professional or career politicians who have been manipulating the process, he urged Good spirited Nigerians to present themselves, they should not be discouraged by the system.
He later blessed the wheelchairs/tricycles and other materials distributed to persons with disabilities and prayed that the items who bring progress in the lives of the beneficiaries.
TQM reports that the event was characterized with music performances by Endless Music Band, a band being led by Kayode Adeboye, a wheelchair user and there were other display of talents in dancing, vocational skills such soap making, air fresher making, chair making etc.
TQM also reports that the persons with disabilities specially acknowledged President Muhammadu Buhari for signing Disability Bill into Law and also establishment of National Commission for Persons with disabilities, A section that was led by Barr. Ikem Uchegbulam, the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the Event.
SOME PICTURES OF THE EVENT
