EbonyHerald Stores Ebony Herald News24
Related Articles
Big C Real Estate, PWD stakeholders partner Reps committee to organise National Inclusive Sports Festival
Big C Real Estate & Properties, some stakeholders in collaboration with the House of Representatives Committee on Persons With Disabilities (PWD) has resolved to organised a National Inclusive Sports Festival for PWDs.
The stakeholders which include Afestac media, Advocates for Global Peace Forum International, Association of Accessibility Professionals and the Big C Real Estate and Property, unveiled the plan in Abuja recently.
The sports festival is one of the initiatives under the PWD’s Potentials Unhinged Project (PP-UP) aimed at ensuring inclusivity.
In his remarks, the Project Director of PP-UP, Mr Valentine Zhyon said that the project was designed to intentionally ensure the welfare, empowerment and wellbeing of PWD across Nigeria.
He explained that the project has five sections which include nationwide medical outreach for PWDs, PWD-got-talent, a platform that allows PWDs showcase skills and win prizes and the Unlimited Television Reality Show where a champion will emerge after series evictions.
Zhyon said that there is also the One Stage Africa section which will allow PWDs perform on stage alongside the biggest artists across the globe and the National Inclusive Sports Festival.
“This is a festival, a sports festival, where we have PWD will compete on in marathon and other sports at a certain price.
“We want to see their gifts, we want to see their talents, we want to x-ray them to the world so that inclusivity could begin to be deepened from this very project,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on PWD, Rep. Bashiru Dawodu (APC-Lagos) said commended the initiative.
He said that the PWD in other climes enjoy huge social welfare and empowerment, so much that people lie to be PWD.
The chairman said that it was high time Nigerians began to discuss matters pertaining to PWDs from a the view of empowerment and not from the lens of pity saying that the committee was working in that direction.
According to him, its take only a second for anybody to become a PWD and all the challenges that comes with could befall a person and their families at any time.
The rep said that the National Assembly has passed a law to ensure easy access to public buildings, employment quotas for PWD and protection of other rights of PWDs in the country.
He said that the house has a responsibility to ensure effective enforcement through its oversight function and was ready to participate in activities that will enhance the wellbeing of PWDs.
“So after review and serious assessment, we feel that we can partner with this organisation, and that is why we give that approval.
“My message is that for those of us that are not PWDs, it is important for us to understand that it’s no longer about charity, it is about empowering folks with disability so that, God forbid, if it ever happens to us, the society will be there for us,” he said.
The lawmaker commended the stakeholders for the initiative praying that their strength and tenacity continues to increases as they empower PWDs.
He said that the house will not leave stakeholders stranded but will continue to be there for them to make sure that everyday, life is better in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Big C Real Estate and Property, Dr Joachim Aforjama made commitments to support the festival.
He said that the firm has a reputation for supporting sports and other campaigns aimed at improving the welfare of all Nigerians.
Aforjama said that the firm is excited to partner with the committee and PP-UP to organise the National Inclusive Sports Festival.
