By Our Reporter
UYO (CONVERSEER) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated a total of 263 wheelchairs and 181 walking aids to Akwa Ibom State Government to help persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Making the donation in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, recently at an official handing over ceremony of wheelchairs and assistive walking devices, Elder Alfred Kyungu, President, Africa West Area of the Church, said the event marks the conclusion of the Wheelchair Project and the continuation of humanitarian service as exemplified by the Saviour.
“Today we celebrate not just the conclusion of the Wheelchair Project, but a continuation of humanitarian service”, Elder Kyungu said explaining that the humanitarian effort of the Church is inspired by the life and teachings of the Saviour and charged all who profess to be the disciples of Jesus Christ to always speak up for the voiceless.
Elder Kyungu, who disclosed that the Wheelchair Project has been made possible through the voluntary donations of members worldwide, stated that the Wheelchairs have been tailored to meet individual needs, restoring dignity and improving quality of life.
Receiving the items on behalf of the government, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibangha, who represented Governor Umo Eno, lauded the gesture by the Church and acknowledged that the intervention will transform lives.
According to Ibangha, “Today women and men who once crawled will now go out and return home clean, courtesy the Church’s humanitarian service.”
She acknowledged the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ impact in the State through the building of Schools, Health centres and nutritional efforts to help the vulnerable. She noted that “Today we can build a state and society that everyone will be proud of.”
Distinguished personalities who graced the occasion include Dr Ini Adiakpan, Delivery Advisor to the governor on Women Development, who said “the project has broken barriers…” and Comrade Nsibiet John, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Akwa Ibom Council, who lauded the Church for consistent humanitarian support to the state.
Other notable persons who attended the event and registered their impression were Comrade Ubong Ikpe, Personal Assistant to the governor on Persons with Disabilities who observed that, “The Church has redefined humanity by giving mobility to those who needed it the most; you have given them legs, access and visibility and described the Church’s intervention as life changing.”
Also, the row call captured the Chairmen of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Uyo Branch and Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Akwa Ibom State, Ime Umofiah, Esq and Dr Aniekan Peter respectively who commended the Church for giving succour to the poor and needy and sued for a strong synergy with their organisations for the betterment of the state.
Church leaders who were in Elder Kyungu’s entourage were Adiel Ntuk, Uyo, Nigeria Stake President, Inyon, Ibiono, Nigeria Stake President, Orok Orok and Christian Onuvughe, Presidents of Uyo Central and Ibesikpo Stakes.
