Ebonyi First Lady Pledges N500,000 Monthly Support to Visually Impaired Students

In a significant move to support visually impaired students, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, the First Lady of Ebonyi State, has announced a monthly donation of N500,000 to the State Special School, Opefia, located in Izzi Local Government Area. The pledge was made on October 13, 2024, in Abakaliki, during the celebration of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child, themed "Girls' Vision for the Future."

Mrs. Nwifuru, who also heads the Better Health for Rural Women, Children, and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO), stated that the monthly financial support is complemented by a one-time donation of one million naira from her foundation to address the feeding needs of the students.

"In addition to the monthly support fund, I have donated a one million naira cheque from my foundation to cater for their feeding needs," Mrs. Nwifuru remarked. "This initiative aligns with BERWO’s goal of improving the lives of internally displaced persons, the downtrodden, and other needy groups in rural areas."

She further highlighted the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals, including social exclusion and neglect, and called for them to be treated with compassion. The First Lady assured that the BERWO Foundation is committed to protecting visually impaired students by providing emergency contact numbers for reporting incidents of sexual and gender-based violence.

Mrs. Nwifuru emphasized the foundation's dedication to creating an inclusive environment where children and vulnerable groups can access equal opportunities and benefit from the state's developmental programs.

In addition to the support for visually impaired students, Mrs. Nwifuru visited several facilities, including the Nigeria Correction Service’s Abakaliki Custodian Centre, Mile Four Hospital, Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre, Remand Home, and Effata Orthopaedics Clinic. The visits aimed to reaffirm the ongoing administration’s commitment to the "People’s Charter of Needs."

The First Lady distributed various items during the visit, including a carton of 200 exercise books, educational materials, bags of rice and garri, cartons of bath soap, and other supplies for internally displaced persons and hospital patients.

The donations and visits underscore the state government's focus on social welfare and inclusivity for all citizens, especially those with special needs and vulnerable communities.