Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has denied allegations that his administration “completely abandoned” People Living with Disabilities (PWD) in the state.
Background
A former Nigerian high commissioner to South Africa, Uche Ajuluchukwu, on Wednesday accused Soludo of neglecting people living with disabilities by “never budgeting a penny for the Disability Commission in the state” since taking office.
Ms Ajuluchukwu spoke at the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission’s first anniversary commemoration in Awka, the state capital.
The commission was established in December 2021 by the administration of former state governor Willie Obiano.
soludo reacts
But reacting in a statement on Friday from his spokesman, Christian Aburime, Soludo described the claim as “misleading and wrong.”
The governor maintained that, contrary to the former high commissioner’s claims, he had taken “remarkable actions” to ensure the well-being and empowerment of vulnerable segments of society, including people with disabilities in the state.
He said Ms Ajuluchukwu did not investigate the government’s initiatives “thoroughly” before making the allegations.
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“To set the record straight, the Anambra state government, through the office of the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, has empowered some 12 vulnerable non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and associations in the state,” she said.
He explained that the empowerment was carried out to alleviate the suffering of all categories of people with disabilities and children with special needs in the state.
Mr Soludo listed some of the government-sanctioned NGOs so far to include Anambra State Albinism Association, National Association of the Deaf, Nigerian Blind Youth Wing Student Association and Disabled Women’s Association .
“The government has given its approval for PWD to be trained in different skills in the Oba and Aguleri Vocational Centers of the state to be empowered.
“In addition, the state government has established a committee to plan and coordinate the implementation of N1.5 billion neighborhood-based economic empowerment for vulnerable people including people with disabilities,” he said, adding that data collection for potential beneficiaries has had ever since. began.
The governor emphasized that his administration is committed to fostering economic independence and social inclusion for all, regardless of their physical abilities.
He said Mr. Ajuluchukwu’s accusations misinterpreted his administration’s efforts and could also distract from the progress the government is making in the state “to bring everyone.”
“Constructive criticism is always welcome, but it should be based on verified information rather than misleading narratives,” he added.
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