MOTUNRAYO JOEL
The Senior Project Officer of a group, L.E.A.R.N., Mrs. Tonne Saheed, has called on Nigerians to develop special interest in the welfare of less privileged persons this yuletide season.
Saheed, who represented the wife of a former governor of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola, stated this at an annual Christmas party/medical outreach, organised for pupils of Ojuwoye Community Primary School Inclusive Unit on Thursday.
She explained that simple assistance like the provision of food materials for less privileged persons would go a long way in putting smiles on their faces.
“The Yuletide is a perfect time for people to show love to the less privileged. There are many families who may end up celebrating this Christmas without food; a small bag of rice could go a long way,” she said.
Also speaking on the occasion, the Chairman, Golden Hearts Touching Lives Initiative, Mrs. Angela Emuwa, called on government at all levels to ensure the full implementation of the Lagos State Disability Law for the benefit of those whose lives depend on it.
Emuwa cited a case of one Ibrahim Abubakar, who died as a result of lack of money to cater for his medical need.
She said, “His death came as a shock to me. Right from when I met Ibrahim, I took interest in him and decided to support his mother towards his medical treatment. He was recently ill while I was away and needed urgent monetary support which I was not available to provide. Today, I feel that we have let him down as a society.
“Our message today is that everyone is important regardless of their disabilities. We are all Nigerians and we all have the same rights.”
The late Ibrahim’s mother, Mrs. Sahidat Abubakar, who also attended the event, lamented the death of her son, describing it as very unfortunate.
The Head of the school, Dr. Adeleke Owoade, commended Golden Hearts for its support.
He said, “Since 2009, Golden Hearts has been of great support to this school. Each year, during the Christmas season, they put smiles on the faces of our children.”
The event included the distribution of gifts; HIV/AIDS tests; medical check-ups and treatment for common ailments like malaria and cold; blood pressure monitoring and sugar level monitoring.
Food packs and drinks, free drugs, public information materials on identified relevant areas were also distributed at the event.
Emuwa commended the various partners of the event, stressing that their participation made it a huge success.
She said, “We are most grateful to partners First Bank, Meals on Wheels, Arista Images, our medical partners – Pathcare and 1-Dokita, and FJA80 who provided new clothes for the pupils.”
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