How Best to Handle Physically Challenged Children

By Nwogha Andy
                                         
  Following the disable day celebration and thanksgiving mass in commemoration of World Disable day as organized by Our Lady of Compassion Special School Okpaugwu,Abakaliki, on Sunday 2nd December, 2018 at St. John De Evangelist Paris where parents were charged to give proper and equal educational support to their disabled child.    

  In a lecture delivered by Barr.Opoke Kelechi entitled "Empowering Persons with Disability and Ensure Inclusiveness and Equity",he defines disability as a state of being unable to work due to illness.    
 
  Barr.Opoke explained that man was naturally created to influence and rule the earth but deformity and infirmity which was partly occasioned by nature and nurture had served as an impediment to such covenant.   
                               
He hinted that without training, there would be no reigning, challenging parents of all the disable to establish their deformed Children to seek for life of purpose which they would live and be proud of, stressing that heaven is not meant for those who do not commit sin, but for those who gave in their best to the world.  
                        
The legal practitioner further said that the ultimate purpose and goal of every living being was to die a fulfilled life,that is;to die empty, having exhausted ones gift which was the reason Jesus exclaimed" it is finished " on the cross.                  

He noted that talent takes one to the top but purpose sustained it as there lives a stronger ability in every disable person.                                  

Barr Opoke stated that the legality of social inclusiveness of the disabled people started from section 33 to 46 of the country's constitution and its subjection which made fundamental provision for all citizens, as no citizen was to be discriminated on the basis of being disable or not.                           

Also,he challenged those who are at the age of exercising their franchise to go obtain their permanent voters card, and vote for candidates of their choice, whereas, charged them to speak up on issue they found commendable and commend those found favourable being that they have the right of freedom of expression.                         

He advised them to engage in rightful activities that are productive, as well, pursue their dream for the difference between the disable and the not is their passion fueled by commitment in ones area of interest as every professions have produced among best practitioners who are born disable, yet such persons did not allow inferiority complex to rule theirlife.                                               
Earlier in his homily, Msgr.Mary Patrick Mmuo, called catholic faithful to know their root ,for that helps to establish where they are,and where they are going.               
   Msgr.Mmuo said that the advent Sunday which marked the beginning of the church calendar should serve as a period all Christians should reconcile with God and confess all their sins, thereby, renew their vow to serve God in sincerity and fullness devoid of doubt.                                                He enjoined Christians to shun discrimination for all are children of God who deserve to be loved, whereas, urged those who having any form of misunderstanding to forgive each other and reunite with their families.                                       He,however, appealed members to be true witness and help testify of any issue that may led to cancellation of marriage bounce which has become common that members of church no longer bring such report against it,stating that such negligence has caused two siblings of different mothers but same father to marry far away from home.                                                       However, in his address,Our Lady of Compassion Headmaster, Mr.Lekpa John, commended those who honoured their invitation to celebrate, share their experiences and difficulties, noting that the school has suffered inadequacy of teachers due to the fact that teaching the disable required special skills.                                              He stressed that the pupils lacked comfortable learning environment due to non availability of fund to complete their permanent site,Calling for support from government, concerned individuals and non governmental organizations to better the children lives.                                                           On her part, Rev.Sis. Oti Joy, Admin. Officer, Our Lady of Compassion Special School and Mrs Chika Ezioko,Rehabilitation Centre representing partner organization of Lillian Foundation Netherland, called churches to build track which would serve as special accessible road in their churches, even as, they urged government to create job for disable graduates to help ameliorate their plight.                          
  In their separate interview, some of the parents among Col.Fidelis Uwa Rtd and Mrs.Eucharia Nwamgbo described children as gift of God made to better the society, and deserve to show love irrespective of their disable nature, advising parents to send their deformed child to school as that would help them live a fulfilled life through formal education.  

EBONYI: APC Senatorial Candidate Dumps Party for PDP

The erstwhile State Minister
for Power and Steel who was also Senatorial aspirant, Ebonyi North zone in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress,Primaries, Chief Goddy O. Ogbaga on Monday 3rd December, 2018 announced his return to People Democratic Party.

  Chief Ogbaga made this known to newsmen at his Onwe Road resident,Abakaliki, describing his return as his love for the party.

  The former state minister having served in different capacity under People Democratic Party said he was overwhelmed with joy seeing past and present leaders and stakeholders of the party throng to his house asking for his return to a party he was one of the founding fathers.

He said that even when he left the party that well wishers and prominent men in the state keep asking for his return to People Democratic Party in support of the development of the state which the ruling governor has proved his mandate as divine.
"Having known what led to my leaving the party,I was overwhelmed when stakeholders of the party both past and present leaders from all parts of the state emptied into my home to ask for my return to the party.
" Before now,I joined the party since 1998 and have served the party in honesty with humility, today, well wishers and stakeholders including bishops and Reverend fathers across the state have called asking me not to leave the house i am one of the persons who build it,and if I cannot listen to human beings,is it spirit that one will listen to?"

He called his supporters and entire people of the state to join him in support of the revolutionary government of Engr.Dave Umahi, assuring them of true dividends of democracy under People Democratic Party.
"So, I saw their coming as honour and before now, my family has seek God's face, irrespective of different political parties that have been coming after our primaries I still stick to hear from God,I never knew that part of what made my other opponents not to have called me after election was for a purpose of the call not to leave a house I helped build.
" Therefore, i asked my followers to join me like I have earlier get their opinion which I put into account before taking the final decision of accepting the continue support of our party.

  He,also, appreciated Ebonyi Journalists for their objective reportage since his defection and return, as well, the manner they have been reporting political issues in the state.

Recall that Chief Goddy Ogbaga aggressively defected from People Democratic Party for All Progressives Congress few months ago over alleged marginalization of Ebonyi local government that has been denied of senatorial position.

Umahi Vows to Bring Killers of late Samuel Nweke to Book

By Nwogha Ndubuisi Andy

Ebonyi State Governor Engr.David Nweze Umahi on Thursday night, 29th November, 2018 vowed to bring all the perpetrators of the killers Samuel Nweke to book.

Gov.Umahi made this known to bereaved team of, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Ebonyi State Council during their candle night,opposite Cabinet Office, government House Abakaliki.

The candle night rite kicked off at Dr.Sam Egwu NUJ Secretariat ,along Abakaliki-Enugu expressway, where members moved from Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre,to Pa.Ngele Oruta stadium and stopped at opposite Cabinet Office,government House accompanied with song of sorrow as members appeared on full black shirts.

Addressing bereaved colleague, South East Vice President NUJ, Sir.Petrus Obi stated that member appearing on black were signal to show that they are aggrieved for loosing an active member of the union who have contributed immensely to the growth of the union not just at the regional level but even national.
He applauded the state governor, Chief David Umahi for the love,care and share pain of a colleague who died in course of service.

On his part,the Chief Press Secretary who represented Governor Umahi,regretted that such gathering which attracted over one hundred members of the union was to mourn, but gave God all the glory that late Nweke had within his short period of his earthly sojourn lived good life and dedicated to Unionism.

He thanked members for the love they showed to late colleague even at death, stating that the governor was making effort in ensuring that the family he left behind was taken care of.

"Just today,we perfect the promise the governor made which includes: One million to the wife,her appointment as Technical Assistant, Five hundred thousand naira each to both parents, and three million naira for his children educational fund.

The Chief Press Secretary described late Nweke's death as an incident of ill fate,calling all practicing journalist in the state to sheath all forms of grievances against colleagues over the demise member as his death open way to show true love among selves which was what late colleague represent.

He bemoaned that journalists have been relegated to the background but the period calls for unity and steadfastness in the practice of the noble profession.

He revealed that the country was at cross road politically that only truth could deliver it.

Chief Uzor,however, said that the state governor was saddened over the way late Nweke died and has instructed all the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the late colleague.

He further assured members that the government was doing within its reach to get those behind the dastardly act,stressing that some arrest has been made and investigation ongoing.

Sir.Uzor promised members that the demise of colleague would be use to build robust relationship with the union members, even as he reiterated that Ebonyi State government would always stand for the bereaved family.