Charles Nwankwo
For the Echefu family of Ebonyi State, it never rains but pours. The family was blessed with six children, four boys and two girls. Of the six, four are blind, three boys and one of the girls. The father of the house is dead but their poor mother struggled to raise them and today the four blind children are graduates.
However, Nigeria is what it is for even for the able-bodied persons, these visually impaired siblings are presently having it rough. Nevertheless, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi, has risen to the occasion and graciously approved the sum of N1 million for the family, to ameliorate their suffering, with hope for employment.
The family had cried out to the state government for help through the office of the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Deborah Chinwe Okah, who handed over the cheque to them in her office at the Ochudo Centenary City, New Government House, Abakaliki.
Briefing journalists, Mrs. Okah explained that from an investigation by her ministry, the children were struck by blindness after birth.
According to her: “A family of six children from Abaomege in Onicha LGA, Ebonyi State, reported to my office with a letter, seeking financial assistance because they are six children from their mother and four out of the six are totally blind. Their father is late and their mother, who is taking care of them, has no meaningful business. The ministry pitifully drafted a memo, which I submitted to His Excellency, the Governor to help them. To God be the glory, His Excellency, with his human heart, graciously approved the sum of N1 million for them. This money is to enable their mother start business and for their upkeep in this Christmas celebration.”
The commissioner thanked the governor and his wife for their care of the less-privileged in the society
In her words: “I wish to thank our dear governor for what he has been doing in the lives of the less-privileged in our society. Each time the Ministry of Women Affairs writes request to him, concerning the less-privileged ones, he approves any amount of money the ministry requested to empower the poorer of the poor.”
Mrs. Okah also thanked ther First Lady Chief Mrs. Rachel Umahi, describing her as a passionate mother, generous and kind-hearted woman that has been interceding for the less-privileged in the society.
She advised the visually impaired brothers and their sister that loss of sight is not the end of the world, noting that hence God has raised all of them graduates, there is hope.
Beyond the N1 million, Mrs. Okah added that the ministry would further write to the governor for them to be given jobs. This is where the real empowerment is.
The commissioner urged the siblings to report to the ministry whenever they need help, praying that the money given to them would be useful in any business their mother is able to establish with it.
Earlier in his remark, the Director of Administration in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. Sylvester Obasi Nwangwu, said Sampson Echefu on behalf of his family, submitted a request through the commissioner to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi.
Mr. Nwangwu pointed out that the letter signed by Sampson Echefu the eldest of the four blind siblings requested for certain assistance, especially employment that may help them because of their disabilities.
In his words: “We raised the memo sent by the Hon. Commissioner and His Excellency in his magnanimity graciously approved money to assist them; that is why we are here to hand over the cheque to the beneficiaries. We want to say we are grateful.”
Appreciating the cash gift, Onyemaechi Echefu, on behalf of his family, said: “I lack words to adequately express my joy on behalf of my family to say a very big thank you to our able governor, the man who has us at heart for his great financial assistance. We don’t have anything to reciprocate this benevolent gesture. Through the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, we want to assure our governor that we are going to use the money judiciously.”
The Nigerian Xpress gathered that the family of Sampson and Onyemaechi Echefu hails from Abaomegein Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State but currently living in Aba, Abia State. God blessed the embattled family was with six children but four became blind under mysterious circumstances. The cause of the devastating ill-health could not be ascertained. Incidentally, the four siblings though physically blind, they have inner vision that enabled them to go for education and today are all graduates.
Sampson Echefu is a graduate of UNN where he studied social work whereas Onyemaechi Echefu studied Political Science in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The visually impaired siblings have done well in pursuing education despite all odds and while Governor Umahi deserves accolades for the financial support extended to the family, giving them jobs will really empower them. Knowing how thoughtful the governor is, this is certain to happen and will not be long in coming.
