By Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe, September 12th, 2024
In a heartfelt commiseration messages to the government and entire citizens of the state especially the citizens with disabilities, Hon Abba described the incident as truly tragic and devastating natural disaster whose effect must be felt by every concerned and patriotic citizen of the nation.
His words"as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, I am deeply saddened by the devastating floods that ravaged Maiduguri, Borno State, in the early hours of yesterday. This natural disaster has brought significant hardship, destroying lives, homes, and properties across nearly all parts of the city"
"In this moment of sorrow, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the people of Maiduguri, especially the families who have lost loved ones and those who are displaced or injured. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this unfortunate event"
Emphasizing his deepest concern to the seeming terrible plights persons with disabilities and other vulnerable community living in the areas raveged by flood may encounter, the sympathetic leader indicated his commitment to working with key partners to provide secure to flood victims among persons with disabilities and other vulnerable community
He said, "of particular concern are the people with disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable in times of crisis. It is well understood that persons with disabilities are often disproportionately impacted by disasters like this, due to limitations in mobility, access to resources, and pre-existing socioeconomic challenges. Their well-being must be a central focus of our recovery efforts"
"As part of my mandate from the President to advocate for the rights and inclusion of persons with special needs, I am fully committed to ensuring that their needs are prioritized during this period of relief and rehabilitation.
" He added "we are already in discussions with relevant agencies and stakeholders to assess the extent of the damage and to coordinate an effective response that addresses the unique challenges faced by persons with disabilities"
"In the coming days, my office will work with local authorities, civil society organizations, and humanitarian partners to provide much-needed assistance to all those affected. We will also focus on long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of future disasters, ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in any emergency response plans"
"Our hearts go out to the people of Maiduguri during this difficult time, and we stand in solidarity with the entire Borno State community. Together, we will rise above this tragedy, rebuild what has been lost, and ensure a more resilient future for all, with special attention to the most vulnerable among us" the presidential aide noted.
Efforts by our reporter to get the reaction of the chairman of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) to ascertain effect of the disaster on the Borno state PWDs community proved unsuccessful as his phone number was not going through.
No comments:
Post a Comment