NUF partners ECOWAS on Para Games, Pledges social inclusion, support for PWD’s, Wounded Soldiers By Saheed Badmus
NUF partners ECOWAS on Para Games, Pledges social inclusion, support for PWD’s, Wounded Soldiers
By Saheed Badmus
A Non.Governmental Organization, Nigeria Unconquered Foundation has pledged commitment to promote the rights and opportunities of persons living with disabilities and wounded soldiers across Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS sub region.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr Bobby OJEH gave the pledge in Abuja on Thursday during the signing of Memorandum of understanding between his group and Sports and Youth Development Centre of the ECOWAS Commission to commence ECOWAS Para Games (EPG) scheduled for 1st Quarter of 2026.
Mr Bobby said President Tinubu’s visionary leadership and unwavering support has made the initiative possible. He noted that a significant step of the journey has been taken to promote inclusivity, unity, and empowerment of PWD’s through the ECOWAS Para Games (EPG).
According to him,the event is scheduled for 1st Quarter of 2026 and continuing biennially (every two years) thereafter – each time in a different West African country that has won the hosting rights.
He noted that it is collective dedication to a cause that transcends borders and touches lives in profound ways.
“The signing of the MoU is more than just a document; it is a testament to our shared vision and unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society across the West African Sub-region”, he added.
Mr Bobby who also lauded the President of the ECOWAS COMMISSION, Dr Omar Alieu TOURAY and other relevant stakeholders of the commission for partnership and collaboration said the dedication to regional cooperation and the empowerment of young people is commendable and essential to the success of the EPG.
“I would also like to acknowledge the Nigerian Government, whose support has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. Your commitment to social responsibility and the welfare of all citizens is a testament to the values we hold dear.
“To our esteemed potential or prospective partners, sponsors, and supporters, thank you for your belief in this cause. Your contributions and efforts are the driving force behind the ECOWAS Para Games. Together, we are creating opportunities for persons living with disabilities and wounded soldiers to showcase their talents, achieve their dreams, and contribute to their communities.
“To the para-athletes who will participate in the EPG, you are the true heroes of this initiative. Your courage, determination, and resilience inspire us all. The ECOWAS Para Games is your platform to shine, to break barriers, and to demonstrate the power of sport in promoting inclusivity and unity.
“As we move forward, let us remember that the ECOWAS Para Games is not just an event; it is a movement. It is a movement that seeks to transform lives, foster regional cooperation, and create a more inclusive and equitable society. Today, we have laid the foundation for this movement, and I am confident that together, we will build a legacy that endures.
“Thank you once again for your presence and support. Let us continue to work together, hand in hand, to make the ECOWAS Para Games a resounding success and a shining example of what we can achieve when we come together for a common cause”, he concluded.
Speaking, the Director of ECOWAS YOUTH & SPORT Development Centre, Ambassador Francis Chuks Njoaguan said ECOWAS PARA GAMES, EPG, is a unique social inclusion, unifying and collaborative initiative that
converges several standing and long tenured policies and conventions of ECOWAS on the administration
of Persons with Disabilities across the West African sub-region.
Ambassador Francis who commended the group and pledged support
for the initiative noted that the community has worked from many fronts to achieve regional integration overall economic development of member states to make all our citizens comfortable and economically viable including persons with disabilities.
He said “when you talk about our citizens, people with disability are also our citizens, they pay tax, they work, they contribute to the economy and in the field of sports, they are also a vital force. We’ve seen the Paralympic Games, we’ve seen the Invictus Games. We’ve seen other games globally that focus on people with disabilities and brings out the talent that is in them.
“And so this initiative simply goes to add one more feather to the efforts of ECOWAS to fully integrate all her citizens, in this particular instance, people with disabilities. ECOWAS has numerous programs and projects policies that are directly designed for people with disabilities.
“And also, why not build the economy around Para Games? Because we know that sports is a huge economy, and why not Para Games, and so this is one of the reasons why we think it is important to support the initiative when it was brought to us by the Nigerian Unconconqured Foundation.
“In fact, there’s a need to add one more item to that place for people with disabilities in our community, to ensure that they also continuously feel a sense of belonging to that shared objective of regional integration.
” So that is why we’re here, and we hope that this partnership with NUF will go a long way to showcasing that the region cares, not just for its people, but specifically for its people with disabilities, in a very special way through sports “.
In his part, Program Director, Nigeria Unconquered Foundation for ECOWAS PARA GAMES, Ambassador Idah David,
emphasized the need for everyone to show genuine love, support and care for persons with disabilities and wounded soldiers.
He said “ECOWAS PARA GAMES is not entirely about sports. It is about humanity, about sympathy, caring and support. Technically speaking, we are talking about inclusivity, giving opportunities to the people with disabilities in our midst, in an era where even the able bodies are finding it hard to survive.
“It’s just right that we should call attention to the plight of people with disabilities, they are every where, and the moment we as Africans begin to pay attention to the people with disabilities, we do know for certain that their needs will be speedily and more affordably met because it is cultural for we Africans to take care of our people with disabilities.
We care for our neighbors, we care for our extended families, we care for everyone.
“And then we’re talking about economic institutions that empower people with disabilities specifically. So this is the channel. So when you look at the front picture, what we actually doing is we are using sports to get across in achieving all of these objectives. So, it is not just for sporting sake. It is a sports as a means to a bigger end”.
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The Nigerian Unconquered Foundation is a charity organization started two years ago in collaboration with the Invictus game foundation. It’s focus is centered around wounded and injured soldiers. Over the past two years, in collaboration with the defense headquarters NUF recovered over 51 wounded and injured soldiers in total.
