Alhaji Suleiman Muhammed, Head of the Disabled, Karon-Magiji disabled Colony FCT, has called on well-meaning Nigerians to identify with thePeople Living With Disabilities (PLWDS) in the country by availing them with educational materials.
Muhammed made the call during a courtesy visit to his palace by Mr Emeka Idionye, Chief Executive Officer Thriftechoes Ltd, and his team as part of activities marking his 36th birthday on Tuesday in Abuja.
The head commended Idionye for identifying with the community in providing educational materials for children of PLWDs.
He said, “In this life, if you don’t have education, you don’t have any value in the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Idionye had earlier distributed, school sandals, school bags, mathematical sets, pencils, pens, exercise books and slates to the children of PLWDs in the community.
The emir prayed God to bless the donor, as he remembered the less privileged in the society and urged him not to relent in such effort.
He expressed optimism that the items donated would improve educational standard in the community and the beneficiaries a sense of belonging.
The colony has been existing since 2008 while the disabled are indigenes of Abuja that residing in the colony with their leader, who uses clutches.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, Idionye said he believed in giving back to the society.
He said, ’’It is not about how much you give but the impact your gesture makes on the lives of the People.’’
Idionye, who is also the proprietor of Thriftechoes Football academy, Abuja, said he decided to mark his birthday by distributing learning materials to pupils of Local Education Authority (L.E.A) primary school Karon-Magiji.
He expressed optimism that his gesture would improve the education standard of the less privileged in the area.
“It was my birthday and I thought it was the right time for me to do this because the issue has been bothering my mind.
“My passion has always been education because my mother is a teacher and she always motivates us that education is key to development.
“If we educate our children, they will able to choose from bad to right but if they are not educated, they can be easily brain washed and manipulated.
Being educated will enable them to know their rights and effectively manage small scale businesses well.
“For me, basically it is about the society; it is about making our country better and improving the lives of the kids because they are the leaders of tomorrow.
He promised to add sports to his gesture next year to inspire the children of the disabled toward developing interest in sports and enhance unity in the colony.
He also said that the schools where he made donations were selected based on their needs through a survey conducted by Irene Onwuka Foundation.
Mr Shuaibu Ahmed, Headmaster, Local Education Authority (L.E.A) primary school, Karon-Magiji, thanked Idionye for his kindness, adding that his efforts had put smile on the faces of the children.
Ahmed noted that heading the primary school in the colony had not been easy as he had to go the extra mile by creating awareness on the importance of education before the pupils could attend classes.
He promised not to relent in ensuring that the children get education to make enlightened and contribute positively to the society.
Ummi Adamu,(11), a primary five pupil,who spoke on behalf of the thanked the donor for remembering them and promised that the items would used judiciously.
She prayed that God replenish Idionye’s purse with more riches.
Idionye and his team also visited, L.E.A primary school Mabushi, distributing learning materials to them.
Mrs Angela Jaja, Headmistress, L.E.A primary school, Mabushi, commended Idionye for donating school sandals to the school.
She said that with the donation, many of the pupils of the school would no longer come to school bare footed.
“Honestly, I am very happy with what is happening now, most of our children come to school bare footed, without uniforms, books or even pencil to write with.
“Today, they are being provided with these things through Idionye’s philanthropy to mark his birthday,’’ Jaja said.
She, however, called on the FCT Administration to provide more teachers for the school and construct more classrooms to enhance environment that would aid effective learning. (NAN)
