Lawmaker offers scholarships to ‘marginalised’ PWDs in Kaduna

Sunday Katung, the senator representing Kaduna south, has offered scholarships to People With Disabilities (PWDs) in his senatorial district.

He announced this gesture in Kafanchan, Jema’a LGA of Kaduna, on the occasion of the 2023 International Day for PWDs.

The lawmaker picked one beneficiary from each of the eight LGAs in his senatorial district.

Recently, Katung handed scholarships to more than 200 students of higher institutions from the eight LGAs.

The senator, who was represented at the event by Edward Marsha, commissioner for commerce, expressed his readiness to ensure inclusion and integration of PWDs in the senatorial district.

“I have resolved to include you in my activities, given that persons with disabilities have historically been marginalised and have often been among those left behind,” he said.

The senator urged residents to continue to obey the laws, while promising to continue to lobby for considerable projects for his district.

Habila Achi, the chairman, Southern Kaduna Association of PWDs, appreciated the senator for ensuring that PWDs make the list of beneficiaries for the federal government’s “subsidy removal” palliatives.

In his keynote address, Salome Net, the executive director of Heart to Heart Inclusive Education Foundation, spoke about achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adding that this requires collective efforts.

She decried the level of discrimination, lack of accessible infrastructure, education, employment and health issues besetting PWDs.

In his address, Gideon Haruna, manager of Disability Affairs Centre, Kafanchan, said PWDs need the assistance of everyone and sought the support and cooperation of well-meaning persons to help provide facilities for students at the centre.