By Sahel Reporters, Bauchi
About 500 persons with disabilities across twelve local government areas of Bauchi State have received relief materials from the North East Development Commission (NEDC) as part of efforts to cushion the effects of recent flood disasters.
The distribution exercise, held at the headquarters of the Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, aimed to improve the living conditions of people with special needs affected by flooding in selected communities.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Brisca Jarom Aaron, said the gesture aligns with Governor Bala Mohammed’s commitment to uplift the lives of persons with disabilities through inclusive humanitarian support.
She explained that the initiative was born out of the state government’s and NEDC’s shared concern for flood victims, particularly people with disabilities who are often left behind in disaster response efforts.
According to her, the items distributed included 500 cartons of spaghetti, 500 bags of rice, 200 wrappers, 50 cartons of groundnut oil, and 50 bags of sugar, among others.
Mrs. Aaron disclosed that after consulting with relevant stakeholders, including the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities, the agency also extended the gesture to the remaining eight local government areas to ensure wider coverage.
In his remarks, the Head of Civil Service, Barrister Muhammad Sani Umar, commended NEDC for its continued humanitarian support and dedication to improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Bauchi State.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously and encouraged parents and people with disabilities to prioritize education for their children, both western and Islamic, as a pathway to empowerment and self-reliance.
Barrister Umar further appealed to persons with disabilities to contribute their wisdom and experience toward addressing social issues such as street begging, out-of-school children, and street hawking in the state.
