Okowa to create Directorate for People with Disabilities in Delta come 2018

By Atevure Princess,

Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said a Directorate would be created in 2018 to manage the affairs of People with Disabilities (PWD) adding that skill Acquisition Centres will be established to cater for their training needs.

Okowa made the disclosure on Thursday in Asaba at a Luncheon organized in honour of Persons With Disabilities [PWDs] by the Delta State Government, added that with the level of progress, organisation and discipline made by PWDs in the state, the Directorate would help handle all issues related to them and liaise with MDAs and other stakeholders on entrepreneurial and skill acquisition for PWDs.

“I am happy that I took the decision to talk and dine with PWDs; I find joy that I made the right decision, and I am pleased with the level of progress you have made as a community, you have grown into an organised community, a lot  can be achieved through dialogue, as violence does not pay.”

The governor stated further that, “a Directorate is what you seek, this will be pronounce through an executive order in January, 2018; we will all work together through the Directorate to see what we can get for your people from other MDAs.”

He charged the members of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities [JONAPWDs] to always aspire for success in life as “disability does not take life away from you, you can be a success story, start little, work harder and you can become entrepreneurs and employ others.”

While assuring them that he would work with the state House of Assembly on the passage of the Bill on the rights of PWDs, the governor stated that a special school for the PWDs to acquire entrepreneurial and technical skills would be established in the state.

Mr Samuel Ankeli, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Disability Matters and Mr Isaac Obruche, Chairman, JONAPWDs, Delta State Chapter in their separate messages commended Governor Okowa for his support for PWDs and charged PWDs to get education, make themselves relevant to their society.
Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Rev. [Mrs] Omatsola Williams, said that the Luncheon was the first of its kind in the state, enjoined PWDs in the state to be discipline and work with government to improve their lives and make them successful.