By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto says his administration will remain resilient and committed to taking bold steps in sustaining the inclusion in governance and addressing the welfare and development of PWDs.
Similarly , the governor pledged to upgrade and equip the A.A. Raji Special school, Sokoto with modern facilities for enhanced teaching and learning.
Aliyu Sokoto made the disclosures Tuesday evening in Sokoto at an event organised by the state government in commemoration of the International Day for PWDs describing the occasion as a rare opportunity and platform to hear the views and voices of the group on their plights.
” This include the weak and vulnerable groups. We are taking bold steps by making relevant strategic provisions to support their yearnings and aspirations.’
He noted the contributions and support by the state association for PWDs to his administration emphasising that ” there is ability in disability”
The governor said at inception of his government, he deliberately reintroduced the payment of the monthly allowance of N6,500 stopped by the immediate past government of PDP in the state.
” You may recall that our leader , Senator Aliyu Wamakko introduced the policy while as governor and today, we not only reintroduced it but ensure an upward review of the allowances to N10,000 for each of the 6,679 registered PWDs across the state.
” We also ensured the provision of Skills acquisition centres each across the 23 LG for PWDs and purchased a Bus for the association to ease their transportation need.
” We shall soon increase the number of registered PWDs to 10,000 to enable more benefit from the deliberate gesture “, he disclosed
According Aliyu Sokoto” this is in addition to the distribution of food items as rice, Maize , millet, Semovita, Spaghetti and cooking oil to the group and other vulnerable individuals across the state as palliative including Ramadan feeding centres “, he added.
He said his government has fulfilled its pledge to unveil the distribution of 500 units wheeled chair to the group with the second phase of 500 units coming soon .
However, the governor announced the state APC leader, Senator Aliyu Wamakko’s donation of N10,000 each to the 6, 679 registered PWDs in the state.
Speaking earlier in her welcome address, the Overseer Sokoto state Agency for PWDs, Hajiya Amina Ka’oje commended the governor for the deliberate priority accorded to those with disabilities in the state.
Ka’oje also appealed to the governor to provided befitting office accommodation to enhance the operations of the agency towards building the state.
She pointed out that the current edifice was not conductive enough to allow smooth operations by the board and management staff.
” We are also seeking the government to provide window for employing and appointing our members who are qualified for positions and also request for allocation of the subsidised rice being sold ”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar represented by the Sarkin Rafin Sokoto, Alhaji Railway Bello noted that PWDs were an essential and integral proportion that add value in tge process of state and nation building hence be accorded their rightful place in the affairs of administration and policy formulation as citizens with capacity tio deliver.
He appreciated and rejoiced with them for their commitment to the course of development of Sokoto state.
In his brief remarks, Dr Mallam Bello A. Bello a driving force for PWDs in the state appealed to the state government to provide an opening that would allow leadership role for PWDs through social orientation towards achieving the SDGs.
Also, Aminu Kasimu, a blind Special Education teacher at the A.A. Raji Special school, Sokoto acknowledged the priority accorded PWDs by the state government urging the group to sustain fervent prayers for the governor to succeed on his 9-Point Smart agenda gir the benefit of all in the state.
He appealed for more teachers to be employed at the school.
Meanwhile, a short and entertaining para-football match and drama were displayed by the group to climax the event at which the winning football team went with a trophy and N1m as the runner up left with N500,000 donated by the governor to further boost their morale.
