An appeal has been made by the Executive Secretary, Kogi State office for Disability Affairs to Sightsavers International on the need to extend and expand its programs in Kogi State.
The Executive Secretary Office For Disability Affairs, Barr Zacchaeus Dare Michael, made the appeal in a meeting held with Caroline Harper, CEO Sightsavers International who was on a visit to Nigeria after 11 years to meet with PWD stakeholders as their phase 1 inclusive Eye health program winds up by 30th September, 2022.
The meeting was held at the Boardroom of National Commission for Persons with Disability, Plateau House Central Area Abuja.Sightsavers International has been a major supporter and financier of many disability program in Nigeria.
The meeting had all heads of Disability Agencies across the 36 of the Federation.
Barr. Dare used the meeting to appreciate the Sightsavers International for the good work they are doing in Kogi State, listed the inclusive eye project in Kabba, with a well furnished clinic at the Kabba general hospital, where people pay as little as N12,000 as against N45,000 charged in other places.
The Executive Secretary equally listed hospitals in Ankpa and Idah established by Sightsavers and made accessible to people on wheelchair as very commendable.The Executive Secretary used the opportunity to also thank Sightsavers International for the many capacity building program it has organised in the State, urged for extension and expansion of Sightsavers International programs in the state even after the September 30th day of the winding down of it program in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary specifically urged for Sightsavers International to cover more LGAs in the State, organise more programs in the areas of inclusive education, empowerment, employment and social security.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary solicited the support of Sightsavers International to sponsor Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs to a strategic planning retreat in Lagos and to also help in developing a five year plan for the agency as it has done for other states in the country.
Highlights of the meeting was the presentation of a locally made weaving gift to the CEO Sightsavers International on behalf of the Kogi State Government for the support it has given to Kogi State.
Present at the meeting were Hon. James Lalu, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disability, the National President of Albinism, National President of Persons with Disability, Disability Trust Fund and many other critical stakeholders
