Nasarawa to establish special school for physically challenged

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From HABIBU UMAR AMINU, Lafia
NASARAWA State Government has approved the conversion of the structures of the relocated school or nursing to serve as a special school for the physically challenged persons in the state.
Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura who disclosed this during a session with the physically challenged persons to mark the world disability day in Lafia noted that his administration is committed to ensuring the welfare of the said persons.
According to him, the school would be well equipped to carter for both the blind, deaf and the crippled so as to empower them to contribute their quota to the development of the state.
He also disclosed plans to build a state of the art , the first of its kind in Africa with the collaboration of a Washington university, a special school for the disabled in the state.
Almakura who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Hussaini Abubakar, called for attitudinal change with regards to the physically challenged persons in our society, saying that there is ability in disability.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Hadiza Alakayi, said from time immemorial there has been members of the society who are disabled, and as such it was important to appreciate the fact that they are part and parcel of our society.
She said it was imperative that we change our perception and attitudes towards the disabled in line with the current trend of providing ample opportunities and the necessary conditions for the development of their potentials and unique abilities.
In his remarks, the chairman, Joint Association of People with Disability, Mr. Andrew Uba called on government to fulfill its earlier promise of political appointments and employment amongst others.
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued when some disabled persons took their protest of being sacked from their places of work.
The protesters led by Musa Yaro said eleven of them from various local governments areas of the state were retrenched from work by the government almost two years now and called for their re integration into service.
They interrupted the occasion for close to 10 minutes chanting solidarity songs and it took interventions from organisers to calm them before proceedings went on.

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