The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, has donated a total of 52 wheelchairs to the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities in Bayelsa State.
The donation was presented to the Association by the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe on Wednesday at the Board’s headquarters in Yenagoa. In his address at the brief presentation ceremony, Engr. Ogbe said the wheelchair donation was in fulfilment of a pledge by NCDMB at a meeting with the Association. “We are not turning our eyes away from your needs,” he assured the Association, adding, “We have to aid your mobility.”
He urged members of the Association to eschew any tendency toward antagonism when seeking the attention of public agencies on any issue, stating that the Board would readily engage with them in exploring ways to be supportive.
The NCDMB boss said entitlement mentality has not been helpful to youths of the Niger Delta, pointing out that resources under the management of Federal Government agencies are for all Nigerians.
He enjoined youths to acquire useful skills so they could be productive and employable. He promised that the Board would provide training opportunities for vocational skills for members of the Association of Persons with Disabilities in the near future.
In response to a request by the Association for consideration for employment, Engr. Ogbe promised that any time vacancies exist, members with appropriate educational qualifications and skills would be employed.
Receiving the wheelchairs on behalf of members, the Association Chairman, Hon. Ekpomukumor Mayor, expressed profound appreciation to the Management for its prompt action on requests made in March. “This is a good sign – you are a listening leader,” he declared.
He and other members of the Association Executive also thanked the Management for the training programmes being planned by the Board.
The event was witnessed by Directors of the Board, namely, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, Monitoring and Evaluation, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, Project Certification and Authorisation Directorate, Barr. Naboth Onyesoh, Legal Services, Ifeanyi Ukoha, Finance and Personnel Management, and the General Manager, Corporate Corporations and Zonal Coordination, Esueme Dan Kikile, Esq.