By Lizzy Carr, Bauchi
The Rotary Club has donated 10 wheelchairs to polio survivors in Bauchi state to aid their mobility.
The state chapter president of Bauchi Central, Rotarian Chukwunonso Nwobi who presented the wheelchairs on Friday, said that the gesture was one of the humanitarian efforts of the club to give back to the needy in the society.
“Rotary International is one of the leading organizations that is championing the eradication of the wild polio virus through the provision of the oral polio vaccines,” he said.
Nwobi urge the beneficiaries not to use the wheelchairs to beg on the streets, but rather use it to aid their movement while engaging in productive activities.
“These are just a few out of the many crippled by wild polio virus and we don’t want them to be a burden to the society as a result of not being able to move about.”
He expressed happiness that two of the beneficiaries are graduates with one having served with the National youth Service Corps (NYSC).
“Use these wheelchairs to pursue your education and business for those into business.”
The Executive Chairman of Bauchi state Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed appreciated the Club for the assistance, describing it as a humanitarian move that will make the beneficiaries feel some sense of belonging.
Represented by Yusuf Pate, Deputy Director, Disease Control, Mohammed said the Agency and the Club have been working together for many years, especially in the fight against wild polio virus in the state.
“I urge the club to continue to provide maximum support to the state government to fight against polio not only in Nigeria but Bauchi state in particular.”
Some of the beneficiaries, Hassan Mohammed and Saudat Galadima appreciated Rotary club and BSPHCDA for identifying them to benefit from the wheelchairs.
They said the wheelchair will assist move around with minimum help from relations.
