By Edafe Godwin
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Executive and Members of Nigeria Association of the Blind and the Joint National Association Of Persons with Disabilities (J.N.A.P.D) both in Ethiope East Local Government Area chapter, Delta State, over the weekend, hosted the Honorable member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Roland Igbakpa saying, they are solidly behind him in his second term ambition.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the Ethiope East Chapter who is also the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Association of the Blind nationwide, Johnson Akpokiniovo who spoke on behalf of other members of the group said, among other things, Hon. Igbakpa has been able to bring higher institution, adding, when it hopefully comes to stay, they would enjoy it. They therefore assured him that he would be re-elected by the grace of God. They used the medium to call on others to support Hon. Igbaka for his second term bid. He said:” We commend you for the work you have been doing for the development of the constituency.”
On the challenges facing the body, he said, they are happy to have seen him (Hon. Igbakpa) and present to him what has been brothering them. According to him, some of the challenges they face include: unemployment, which, they believe, can be solved by providing them with multi-purpose mini- machine, freezer, generator for the production of ice block for commercial purposes, agricultural equipment for them to engage in farming, educational equipment such as brail machine used in producing paper for them to read, among others. They also appealed specially for the federal law maker to appoint one of them to be his Personal Assistant on Disability Affairs in his office as this will go long a way to add value to their lives.
He said:”We appeal to you to provide us with work tools like multi-purpose mini- machine, freezer, and generator for the production of ice block for commercial purposes..” According to him, they also need laptop computers with special software, digital recorders, mobility, and financial support for the aged members without the means of livelihood to better their life, among others.
On his part, the Chairman of Ethiope East chapter, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, Comrade Erhiwode Mission who spoke on behalf of members also commended the federal law maker for his concern for the group. According to him, Hon. Igbakpa has been a helping hand for them for many years. Going memory lane, Comrade Mission said, when Igbakpa was the Commissioner in the state, when commercial motorcycle popularly Okada was banned in Warri, he tried for Urhobo people by securing tricycles popularly called Keke for them. He therefore appealed to Hon. Igbakpa to assist them to offset their office rent saying, they are solidly behind him to the Green Chamber again where the people will enjoy the of dividends of democracy.
In his response, the federal law maker, Hon. Roland Igbakpa assured them of his continuous support just as he encouraged them not be weighed down by their condition but forge ahead in life. He said:”Don’t be deterred by your situation but stand firm at all time…”