By EricJames Ochigbo
No fewer than 1500 Persons With Diability (PWD) were on Monday, empowered by Sir David Osunde Foundation in Abuja.
The foundation which is interested in physically and mentally challenged persons, distributed various aid items at its 31st annual Special Easter Monday Celebration to PWD from across the country.
The Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, His Grace, Ignatius Kaigama expressed gladness that the President of the foundation, Sir David Osunde has constantly supported PWD from across the country irrespective of tribe and religion.
According to him, instead of fighting over religion, tribe or politics, we should channel our energy to build a society where PWD will be at home and feel good.
Kaigama who celebrated mass at the event said instead of thanking God, a lot of able body people engage in crimes like kidnapping and killing of even Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on ground on religion.
“This is a duty that needs to be done; we sometimes waste so much time on things that do not matter; this foundation is calling our attention today.
“We are so concerned about very big projects that are of National and International value but when it comes to the people who matter, people who just need basic things to survive, we are lacking.
“We are invited to a work love and charity; helping the sick and power is called corporal works of mercy and I am calling on everyone to get engaged in it,” he said.
Kaigama said that there are over 1.3 billion PWD in the world saying that there is a lot work for to be done instead of fighting over religious superiority.
In an interview, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen said expresses gladness that the foundation has been supporting PWD for 31 years.
He said that everyone has a duty to support the poor and to make the world a better place for all to live.
Tallen said “we must do all we can to share what God has given us with the disadvantaged and to touch lives.”
She prayed God to bless the children and generation yet inborn of the family Sir David Osunde.
In an interview, the son of the founder, Dr Anthony Osunde, said that the aid items to be distributed included wheel chair, clutches, white canes, cloths, food items, educational grant among others.
He said before the distribution, there were an educational forum on liquid soap production, business logo design, among others to move them from beginning.
He said that the foundation hopes that there would be a ministry dedicated to supporting PWD across the states and in the FCT.