The National Disability Empowerment Forum, an umbrella organization
of 25 million physically challenged Nigerians, has backed the candidature of
the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential flag bearer for the 2019 election,
Atiku Abubakar.
The endorsement was contained in NADEF’s letter of appreciation
sent to Atiku in Abuja on Tuesday to thank him for donating N10 million to the
nation’s amputee football team, which enabled the squad to represent Nigeria at
the Amputee World Cup in Mexico.
“Twenty-five million Nigerians living with disabilities are
solidly behind you come 2019,” the forum said in the letter signed by its president,
Dr Christopher Nwanoro.
“We pray
that the Almighty God will reward you greatly for your heart of gold towards
people living with disabilities and humanity in general,” he added.
The group
said Atiku’s donation “salvaged the situation, making it possible for the team
to participate in the championship.”
Nwanoro, who
is blind, said he was a beneficiary of Atiku’s scholarship scheme, which saw
him through his postgraduate studies. He described the gesture as “another
demonstration of Atiku’s love towards persons living with disabilities.”
On Octocber
22, a day to the commencement of the World Cup, NADEF and Nigeria Amputee
Football Federation made a presentation to Atiku seeking his financial support
to enable the team travel to Mexico for the championship, a request which the
former vice president granted with the donation of N10 million.
NAFF through
Fred Edoreh, its World Cup Project Coordinator, had complained that for three
consecutive times the team had through self-help attended Africa Amputee Football
Nations Cup, qualified for the global series but did not make the trips because
of funding gaps.
Edoreh
explained that if the team failed to show up at the 2018 edition, which would
be the fourth time, the Nigerian side would be suspended from participating in
all international competitions, adding that the team would be disillusioned if
such situation was allowed.
“It will
close the windows of opportunities which the sport offers for the engagement of
physically challenged persons in Nigeria,” he said.
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