‘This is unprecedented,’ Onireti commended as he distributes wheelchairs, others to PLWDs

Image caption; Hon Olufemi Onireti

‘This is unprecedented,’ Onireti commended as he distributes wheelchairs, others to PLWDs

Femi OGUNLANA

Hon Olufemi Onireti in an unprecedented manner has distributed over 100 movement aids including 100 tricycles (wheelchairs), crutches and crochets, to Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) in Ogbomoso and its environs.

The event which held at his compound at Odo-Oru area, saw joy filled the air as beneficiaries with various degrees of disabilities trooped in tens to pick the items. However, ogbomosoinsightonline.com observed a mixed feeling – while most of the beneficiaries including people of Hausa stock were joyful for the relief the items would bring to them in terms of movement many able-bodied men at the venue were overwhelmed with pity for their conditions. Someone was overheard saying, “Why are still they (the PLWDs) happy?”

Items distributed included wheelchairs (100), crutches (20) and other walking aids (20). Members of the Nigerian Legion, Hausa community were among the beneficiaries. There were those who also got their names down for special movement aids to be made that will suite their needs. Though ithe programme started in the morning those who needed the items continued to troop in till late in the evening – children (brought by their parents and adults from all corners.

The programme was a partnership between Femi Onireti and a Jos, Plateau state-based non-governmental organization, Beautiful Gate Handicapped Centre, in which the latter provided the movement aids free and the former transported them from Jos to Ogbomoso and provided other logistics like transporting the staff of the NGO, accommodating and providing for them for the three days they would stay in Ogbomoso. The amount it costs runs into millions of naira.

Mrs. Sandra Yilgwan, the media and programme director of the organization, commending Onireti for his gesture, noted, “It is not easy to have someone who has PLWDs in his heart, to have a politician like this is a beautiful thing, someone who wants to give hope to people with disabilities. We partner public-spirited individuals like Hon Onireti.

“Like it happened in the Bible at the Beautiful Gate when Jesus made a lame walk, we are giving mobility to the lame today, this is a miracle we are doing too, and we give irrespective of religion or tribe.”

Mrs. Yilgwan charged the beneficiaries not to allow disabilities to hinder them from achieving greatness in life disclosing the founder of the organization is a polio survivor based in Jos.

Yilgwan yje made a special request to Onireti – “We heard you do organize empowerment programmes, please, always give PLWDs 20 percent chance.”

Also speaking at the event, Onireti, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but more of a philanthropist, and who won the heart of the PLWDs by rejecting his sit away but among them, remarked that if he didn’t do it someone else would do it, while expressing gratitude to the Beautiful Gate Handicapped Centre.

He added, “If we need 1, 000 wheelchairs, they will give us, we thank them for the opportunity they have given to Ogbomoso. This is not about politics, we accomodated everyone who showed up.”

Ha also expressed discontent about the situation of Ogbomoso but assured, “Things will take a turn for the better,” as he urged the beneficiaries to always strive hard to become important people in life.”

Hon. Stephen Opadiran, one of the aides of Onireti delivering the welcome address earlier said the programme was all about giving hope and to demonstrate that “there are still public-spirited individuals who help people.”

Likewise, Hon Stephen Adegboyega told the PLWDs, “What we are doing is to let you know you are dear to us and are important people, to give you a sense of belonging, to aid ypur movement, this is just a little of what he (Onireti) plans for you.”

He added that Onireti is following in the footsteps of Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, stressing he “loves the disabled persons as shown by his giving automatic employments to them during the last recruitment exercise into TESCOM, this is to show you are important in the society.”

In a chat with Ogbomoso Insight, Ibrahim Alli, a shoe seller at Sabo from Sokoto state, who came to Ogbomoso about 11 years ago with his wife and children and who described himself as chairman of the Hausa community’s disabled group heaped encomiums on Onireti assuring him of support anytime he needs them.

Fihan Oladele, who also suffers lameness and an alms beggar at NTA area Ogbomoso, was also full of thanks to their benefactor declaring, “This will bring relief.”

Several other beneficiaries applauded Onireti and the NGO for the gesture describing them as “Hope givers in the midst of hopelessness.”