Bauchi state gov., Bala Mohammed, his deputy, Baba Tela, the President, Bruder-Hilfe Social Development Initiative, Mrs. Mary Bamigbe-Bruder, and other Government officials with some of the beneficiaries
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
No fewer than 90 Persons Living With Disability in Bauchi state are to benefit from mobility carts donated by a German based Non-Governmental Organization, BruderHilfe.
The donation is in collaboration with the Nigerian Embassy in Germany and in partnership with the Bauchi state government.
President of the NGO, Mrs. Mary Bamigbe-Bruder, who was speaking while presenting the carts to the Bauchi state governor, at the Government House on Tuesday, said the donation is the first phase of intervention to the state.
She said that it was meant to cushion the hardship been faced by the Persons Living with Disabilities in Bauchi state.
Bamigbe-Bruder said: “The mobility carts are a humanitarian support from Bruder-Hilfe an NGO based in Germany, in collaboration with Nigerian Embassy, Germany and in partnership with the Bauchi state government.
“The mobility carts are meant to cushion the hardship been faced by physically challenged in Bauchi state.
“This is our first phase of intervention in Bauchi State, covering a total of 90 beneficiaries carefully selected by the Bauchi State government. Subsequently, our other interventions will focus on health and education.
“A lot of these beneficiaries are victims of polio and they have suffered in life. Let me assure you that Bruder Hilfe will continue to do more by putting smile on the faces of vulnerable mentbers of the society.
“It is important to note that catering for the needs and welfare of the vulnerable is a collective responsibility, as enjoined by both religions. It is therefore, incumbent on all of us to support and take care of the needy in our society.”
She said that the mobility carts can serve dual purposes to ease their day-to day movements, and also help them start a business to earn a living.
“The mobility cart has been made with special provisions to accommodate mobile business. The ball is now in your court to utilize this gesture very well by planning effectively. Remember that living with disability IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.
“Like Martina Navratilova once said – Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you’re needed by someone Therefore, choose not to place “dis” in your ability. Your disability should open your eyes to see your true abilities and potentialities,” she stated.
She expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Mohammed, for his efforts towards providing quality leadership to the people of Bauchi State as well as carrying everyone along including persons living with disability.
She noted with optimism that her NGO, Bruder-Hilfe is looking forward to more of such fruitful partnerships in the near future.
Bamigbe-Bruder also, thanked Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, an eminent indigene of Bauchi state, for his fatherly role, commitment and support pointing out that Bruder Hilfe is highly indebted to him for enviable role in ensuring that the project becomes a resounding success.
“We will continue to count on your leadership and exemplary role in supporting Nigerians in the diaspora to succeed in their various endeavors as well as promoting cooperation among the government and private sectors in Nigeria and Germany,” she said.
She appealed to well spirited individuals, Governmental organizations, contractors, and international NGOs to give priority attention when planning designing, and constructing public spaces by bearing in mind, the immediate needs of disabled persons pointing out that this will go a long way in giving them a sense of belonging and reduce their sufferings.
In his address while receiving the donations, Governor Bala Mohammed, who thanked Bruder Hilfe for the gesture promised that the carts will be equitably distributed across the 20 LGAs of the state.
He said that his administration will soon establish an agency to cater for the needs of Persons Living With Disabilities in the state.
He said: “Today, I am very delighted to address you, this may not seem as something glaringly important, but to me, it signifies the rebirth of the regeneration of Bauchi.
“Bauchi has come a long way under our leadership because we have been able to open up the state to international attention and we have been able to create partnership with global NGOs and global bodies that are making the required impact in terms of improving the quality of lives of our people.
“In Bauchi, we are going to establish the Agency for Persons Living With Disability. This agency, in addition to BASOVCA, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will specifically target these people because sometimes, they can be more useful than some of us that have two legs and two hands.
“You can see what happened in the Olympics, people living disability brought glory to this country by winning medals. They are veritable members of the public.
“I don’t want you to live negatively and feeling less important of yourselves because you can do anything you want and even better and my administration will give you the opportunity to do so.”
He added that: “These tricycles were brought all the way from Germany, I want to thank the donors and the local NGOs that facilitated it. I also want to thank our officers who also midwifed this programme.”
Mohammed urged the beneficiaries to put the carts to use in a manner that will improve the quality of their lives.
“We are going to involve all the leaders of the disabled in the distribution of these carts and we will distribute them across the 20 LGAs in the state and we will also involve the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Women Affairs and my dear wife who is so passionate about the plights of those Living With Disabilities,” he said.
He called on individuals, the organized private sector, NGOs, civil servants and everybody, “to lend a supportive hand to those that have some disabilities.”