It was an emotion laden occasion last weekend as special citizens in Imo State otherwise known as physically challenged persons applauded Governor Hope Uzodimma and Hon. Samuelson Emehibe for being pro-active in all their welfare needs.
The Special Citizens gave the thumbs up at the All Progressive Congress (APC) State Secretariat Conference Hall, Okigwe Road Owerri when Hon. Emehibe as Senior Special Adviser to Governor Uzodimma on Special Citizens among other top government officials hosted them to a Christmas cum New Year party.
At the event big envelopes containing money was given to their cluster heads to be distributed to them individually so as to assist them in ameliorating the festive period expenses.
Mr. Mike Ogbu who spoke on behalf of the excited Special Citizens lauded Governor Uzodimma and Hon. Emehibe for their doggedness in addressing issues concerning their welfare noting that as the first of its kind in the state since inception and enjoined them not to relent.
Earlier, Emehibe, noted that the essence of the meeting was to host them for Christmas and New Year party and to inform them of plans of the state government towards them. He regretted that the invitation was restricted to their clusters leadership due to the resurgence of Covid-19 and in line with the pandemic directives.
Emehibe who described Governor Uzodimma as a father of the fatherless commended him for being visionary and purposeful in leadership while reassuring him of absolute loyalty and dedication to duty.
Also speaking, Hon. Charles Ekwonna, the state Senior Special Assistant (SSA), on Special Citizens expressed satisfaction on the Governor’s compassion on things concerning Special Citizens in the state.
Ekwonna who applauded the state governor for his largesse on the special citizens despite paucity of fund advised the group on the need to be supportive and prayerful to the state government for their people oriented administration and governance.
Adding his voice, Hon. Charger Okparaku, representing South East in the newly inaugurated Federal Commission for Special Citizens in Nigeria said it has been the resolve of people with disability to overcome their disabilities and further commended Governor Uzodimma and Hon. Emehibe for their patriotism in the affairs of special citizens.
Okparaku pointed out that it’s under the present Shared Prosperity Government and 3R administrative mantra that Special citizens in Imo State could be appointed as SA and SSA to the state Bureau of Special Citizens and advised them not to betray the confidence, trust and love the state government expects.
He lamented the societal neglects, bias and prejudices the special citizens are being subjected to while pleading with the state government on the need to lessen bureaucratic processes and release their annual subvention as well as the domestication of the establishment of Disabled Commission in the state as being directed by the Federal Government.
Highlight of the occasion was distribution of the big envelopes containing cash by the SA and SSA to the cluster leaders that include the blinds, deaf and dumb, Albinos, Hausa/Fulani disable communities, the state and local government Coordinators and Secretaries of APC Special Citizens among others.