Janet Amba’s NGO empowers 60 Physically Challenged Persons in Akwa Ibom
…As NASSI pledges to partner NGO to train people living with disabilities in various skills
By ANIETIE ESU
A Non-Governmental Organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Unique Icon Builders (UNIB) Foundatio, has empowered 60 physically challenged persons in Oro Nation with 10 wheelchairs, 25 pieces of crutches and 25 pieces of canestics to aid them in their mobility and make them more independent.
Presenting the items including over 100 pieces of wrappers to the recipients at the Oron Civic Centre,Oron, the Founder of the foundation and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), Chief (Mrs) Janet Amba said the equipments were part of the NGO’s charity aimed at empowering the beneficiaries for self sustenance in the wake of their challenges.Janet Amba’s NGO empowers 60 Physically Challenged Persons in Akwa Ibom
Mrs Janet Amba, who is also the immediate past President-General of Oron Union, stated that having discovered that many of the people living with various forms of disabilities have talents and skills, there was need to assist them to be useful to themselves and the society.
According to her, the NGO which berthed in 2017 in Abuja and launched in Akwa Ibom State in 2018, considers it imperative to assist the people living with disabilities to achieve their visions.
She said, “Many years ago, I felt it is time for me to give a little I have benefited from the society back to the society. So, I came up with this foundation. Initially, the idea was to bridge the gap for people that are not in any way opportuned to live their lives to the peak ,but after my first and second outings, I came in contact with our brothers and sisters who are physically challenged.
“I met with the deaf, the blind, the cripple and I saw that these people are very intelligent, very brilliant, very energetic and ready to work and contribute their quota to the betterment of the society and the environment they are living. So, I decided that every year my foundation would identify with them. And as you know, charity begins at home.So,I started with the five local government areas of Oro Nation.This is what we do every year.We eat,dine and dance together and that gives me a lot of satisfaction.
“Our NGO is focusing on helping people to reach their peak, to fill in the gap of whatever challenges they may have and I’m glad that by God’s grace we have been able to do this over the years.
“We’re also focusing on mentorship of the male and girls child. My focus is to mentor and assist young men and women who may be ignorant or lack knowledge of what he or she could do. So, the foundation is out to help reform character, mentor you and groom you and support you. And I have done that for a lot of young women even before I came into the SMEs sector in Akwa Ibom State. I have helped a lot of women and men. After grooming you, I give you some money to trade and I supervise you to make sure you reach your peak which is the vision of my NGO.”
The Philanthropist used the opportunity to call on wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged in order to reduce the high rate of poverty in the society.
“You don’t need to own the entire world before you give a little to the society.You don’t need to have everything to share.So, if you have a little, please give it to your neighbour. One Thousand Naira can go a long way. It is good to give. The Bible says there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving,” the governor’s aide added.
She noted that the gesture of the foundation was in line with the Dakkada philosophy of Udom Emmanuel-led administration.
Speaking at the event, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Nigerian Association of Small Scales Industrialists (NASSI),Mr Richard Wilson who pledged partnership with the NGO, promised that NASSI will train people living with disabilities in various skills as part of her support to the humanitarian gesture of the foundation.
Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Mr Ide Owodiong, himself a Coordinator of 1001 Plus Voices Initiative for People Empowerment, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) lauded the gesture of Mrs Janet Amba to give special attention to the plight of the vulnerable in the society especially people living with disabilities.
Mr Owodiong,who described the gesture as a testimony of a good heart of Mrs Janet Amba for humanity,made a case for government at all levels to give the physically challenged persons a rightful place as active and vibrant members of the society by implementing the Disable People’s Act.
The Commissioner for Transport and Solid Minerals,Rt Hon Uno Etim Uno,who was represented at the event by Mr Nkereuwem Utok, thanked Mrs Janet Amba for touching the lives of the less privileged in the society, saying that “There is no greater religion than human service.”
The beneficiaries expressed their deep gratitude to Mrs Janet Amba for making them feel proud of their conditions by putting smiles on their faces through the kind gesture and prayed God to bless her.