JDPC Jalingo Distributes 100 Wheelchairs to Persons Living with Disabilities

By Nformi Desmond

The Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Jalingo, in collaboration with the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre, Jos, has distributed 100 wheelchairs to persons living with disabilities in Taraba State.

The distribution took place at the Saint Charles Borromeo Pastoral Centre, Mile Six Jalingo, bringing together beneficiaries from different locations, religious backgrounds and groups.

It was a moment of joy as beneficiaries received the mobility aids, which they said would make movement and participation in their daily activities easier.

Speaking on behalf of the Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Reverend Charles Hammawa, Reverend Father Eugene Bature commended JDPC Jalingo and the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre for the humanitarian intervention.

He said the initiative reflects the Church’s commitment to giving attention to people who are underprivileged and marginalised in society, while pledging continued support for programmes aimed at improving the lives of persons living with disabilities.

Reverend Father Bature also cautioned beneficiaries against paying money to anyone in order to receive the wheelchairs, stressing that the intervention was provided free of charge.

In his welcome address, the Coordinator of JDPC Jalingo, Reverend Father Clement Tiba, said the initiative was designed to support polio survivors and other persons living with disabilities who deserve equal opportunities to participate fully in their communities.

He said the intervention was made possible through the collaboration between JDPC Jalingo and the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre, Jos.

A representative of the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre, Jos, Mr. Chidozie Diamond, said the organisation was established in 1999 and has carried out thousands of interventions across different states in Nigeria.

He urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the wheelchairs and cautioned them against selling the items.

In her goodwill message, the Taraba State Commissioner for Social Justice and Reintegration, Hon. Dr. Filister Irarimam Musa, appreciated JDPC and the Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Centre for the intervention.

She said government alone could not address all the challenges confronting persons living with disabilities, stressing the need for continued collaboration between government, faith-based organisations, development partners and other stakeholders.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the People Living with Disabilities, Alima Tudi, the representative of the Muslim Council, Mohammed Bello Linam, and a representative of Civil Service Organisations commended the donors for the gesture and prayed for continued blessings upon them.

Beneficiaries, including Blessing N. Genesis and Ezra, said the lack of mobility aids had made school, business and farming activities difficult.

They said movement was particularly challenging during the rainy season, when navigating muddy and difficult terrain became more difficult.

The beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the intervention, saying the wheelchairs would make movement easier and enable them to participate more actively in their daily activities.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries, followed by dance performances and other activities.

The Justice and Development Commission is a social development arm of the Catholic Diocese of Jalingo, working with underprivileged, vulnerable and marginalised members of society.