By Agbo Christian Obiora
In a powerful move to restore dignity, mobility, and independence to persons with disabilities, the Chen Education and Development Empowerment (CEDE) has launched a groundbreaking humanitarian initiative to provide prosthetics, training, and long-term rehabilitation support to no fewer than 3,000 disadvantaged individuals across three states — the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, and Kogi.
The ambitious programme, themed “Transforming Lives with Prosthetics,” kicked off on Monday at NISA Garki Hospital, Abuja, marking a bold step toward sustainable inclusion and empowerment for amputees who have long been sidelined by poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to proper rehabilitation tools.
Speaking during the inaugural event, Cynthia Anaele, Executive Director of CEDE, emphasized the transformative goal of the project, noting that prosthetics are not a luxury but a lifeline for thousands of Nigerians living with limb loss who are too often overlooked by mainstream support systems.
“Before now, most interventions have focused on distributing wheelchairs and crutches, which, though important, do not meet the specific needs of amputees. Sadly, we’ve seen many of these devices sold off by the beneficiaries out of desperation, because they were never the right fit to begin with. But prosthetics—those are game changers. They offer not just movement, but freedom, confidence, and new beginnings,” Anaele told journalists.
She explained that the CEDE initiative targets PWDs with varying levels of limb loss — some above or below the knee, others above or below the elbow, ensuring that each case receives personalized attention and intervention.
According to Anaele, the program is being implemented in collaboration with medical institutions and funding partners committed to bridging the gap in disability support services. Notably, the initiative has received strong backing from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and operational support from NISA Garki Hospital, which is serving as a key implementation partner in the capital city.
“This is not just about giving prosthetics and walking away,” Anaele stressed. “We are providing comprehensive medical screening, training, and post-rehabilitation support for at least one year. That’s the only way real transformation can happen.”
The ongoing screening process, expected to last for one to two months, involves detailed medical assessments — including blood sugar level checks and the condition of the residual limb — to ensure each prosthetic is tailored to the individual’s needs. Once fitted, beneficiaries will undergo training sessions to help them adjust physically and psychologically to their new limbs.
Anaele further explained that CEDE’s approach was holistic, combining medical science with humanitarian compassion, and was designed to make a lasting impact rather than provide a one-off solution.
“This is about restoring hope — not just function. It’s about giving people the chance to live again, to dream again, and to participate in society as active citizens. That is why we are also focused on skills training and digital inclusion as part of our broader mission,” she added.
The initiative has already begun attracting attention from stakeholders in the disability and healthcare sectors, with many praising CEDE’s bold, practical, and inclusive vision for empowerment.
A cross-section of amputees who had come for initial screening expressed deep appreciation, with one emotional participant saying, “I’ve lived like a shadow for over four years. But today, I feel seen. I feel like I can be whole again.”
Anaele called on corporate organisations, philanthropists, and public institutions to join the cause, urging more stakeholders to partner with CEDE to expand the initiative across all six geopolitical zones in the near future.
“We believe Nigeria can be a country where no one is left behind — where losing a limb does not mean losing your life or your future. But we can’t do it alone. This is a shared responsibility.”
As the programme gains momentum, CEDE is laying the foundation for a future where disability is not a barrier, but a different ability — a new beginning backed by technology, compassion, and inclusive development.
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