Group Hails Ebonyi First Lady for Empowering Marginalized Communities
By Praise Chinecherem
Disability Rights Protection Initiative (DRP) has commended wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru for providing education, healthcare and empowerment opportunities to marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities, women and children.
Executive Director, Chikwado Chukwu gave the commendation in Edda local government area during a program organised by the First Lady’s pet project, Better Health for Women, Children, and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO).
Addressing the underprivileged individuals, including persons with disabilities, Chikwado described education as critical to breaking series of societal barriers.
He said, “”BERWO is doing a great job in educating the women, children, and individuals with all types of disabilities in the state, by providing them with survival skills and empowerment opportunities to enable them contribute to society.
“Indeed, education is one of the things that BERWO is using to break a lot of societal barriers across all the communities in the state.
“This philanthropic initiative has been providing education, healthcare, and empowerment opportunities to marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities, women, and children.”
Earlier, host of the program and Chairperson of Edda LGA, Engr. Dr. Stephanie Chima-Ekumankama underscored the importance of self-empowerment.
She challenged the participants not to rely solely on others for help but to assume responsibilities for their lives.
She said, “We are the beginning and end of our lives. God has made everything possible for us to enjoy life to the fullest. We should not rely solely on others for help; we must take responsibility for our lives.
“BERWO has already begun making a difference in the lives of many, providing education, healthcare, and empowerment opportunities to marginalized communities in Ebonyi State.
“With the support of Her Excellency and the Ebonyi State government, the BERWO foundation is poised to achieve even more in the state.
“BERWO has provided us with materials and resources to empower ourselves; let us make use of them.”
Chima-Ekumankama who represented governor’s wife at the event also presented cash gifts, food items and wrappers to the participants.
She encouraged them to take advantage of BERWO awareness campaign to register with the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) to benefit from all the available medical supports, especially for pregnant mothers and others.
The program, attended by over 200 participants, including persons with disabilities, the elderly and children, featured other stakeholders from various groups in the local government area.