Natasha Gives Hope to Downtrodden, Empowers Physically Challenged
With her continuous efforts to give hope to the hopeless in the society, the founder of Builders Hub Impact Investment Program (BHIIP), Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti, empowered physically challenged to start up a business and be employers of labour instead of seeking for alms, Confluence Reporters learnt.
The programme which was held at Children Amusement Park, Lokoja, Kogi State was graced by people from different walks of life.
The beneficiaries of the social empowerment programme were selected from the 21 local government of the state, giving twenty thousand naira to each of the twenty five beneficiaries to start up a business, supporting the organization of the physically challenged with additional hundred thousand naira.
According to her, the twenty thousand naira will be returned back in the next one year without interest for it to be doubled, saying it will continue to the point the beneficiaries will be able to get hundred of thousands and a million naira.
Speaking on the topic, "Social Inclusion of People Living with Disability", Natasha said it is time to consider people with disability in societal governance as they are part of the people that make up the society.
"We need to begin to think about the marginalised people among ourselves and nobody can promote your cause more than he who finds himself in your shoe.
"I have three children and throughout my pregnancies, one thing that was crossing my mind is to have healthy baby but who am I if God had blessed me with your kind, I would have appreciated that more than anything", she said.
Emphasising on why disabled person should be included in governance of the society, she said since democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people, by all standard there should have been representative of the physically challenged from all spheres of government, saying it is not a demand but a right.
Speaking on the power in disability, she said human beings are all born talented irrespective of the physical condition.
According to her, people with disability have made huge role in science field because they have the time to do research.
"The finest researchers especially in the field of sciences have always been people with disability.
"The inventor of electric light bulb, Thomas Edison, was deaf but despite his disability he is the founder GE, He did not allowed his disability to limit him.
"I am hoping that in 2019, Kogi State will set pace for others to follow and give at least one percent of the political position to people living with disability", she said.
Commending the good works of Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti, the commissioner for Culture and Courtism, Kogi State, Hon. Arome Adogi said, he adores Natasha's efforts, she is a living up to the meaning of her name.
"I adore women of honour, who have the zeal to help others. Natasha is a Russian name which means celebration, it must have been a revelation to her parents to give her that name because she has been celebrated.
"What Natasha is doing today is what most people in power have not been able to do, I see her as someone who have the love of the people at heart.
"She is beautiful, she is intelligent, she has a heart of gold, and she has the connection but she is here today with you doing what others cannot do.
Giving hope to the physically challenged, he said "I want you to understand that it is not the physical appearance that qualifies you to be among the qualified
"People that have made monumental changes in life are people living with disabilities, you may be disable but most of the things you carry inside, some of us who are able don't have it", he said
Showing his gratitude to the uncommon kindness shown to his members, the Senior Special Assistance to governor Yahaya Bello on people living with disability, Hon. Hassan Ahmodu, said it is only God that can reward Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti for showing empathy to the people living with disability in Kogi State.
"People living with disabilities in Kogi State are trying in terms of education and entrepreneur, we need a strong voice that will back our voice and thanks for giving it to us", he said
Commending the golden heart of Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti, the chairman of Kogi State People Living with Dissabilities, Comrade Arome Daniel Ibrahim said it is a dream come through in the lives of the physically challenged.
"Indeed you are a woman with busy schedules, but you never underrate us.
"This is the first I've ever heard in the history of Kogi State for a single person to adopt 600 children and take charge of their responsibilities
"You are an architect of positive change, a woman of valour whose hobby is advocasing for the well being of the masses, the right of others, and advocating for the revival of Ajaokuta", he said
To appreciate her uncommon efforts to make the society better, Ibrahim mandated his members from dissability community to pray for her.
In appreciation of her golden heart, award of the most caring mother in Kogi State was given to her by the community of persons living with disability, and also inducted as the grand matron of the people living with disability in Kogi State.
The programme which was held at Children Amusement Park, Lokoja, Kogi State was graced by people from different walks of life.
The beneficiaries of the social empowerment programme were selected from the 21 local government of the state, giving twenty thousand naira to each of the twenty five beneficiaries to start up a business, supporting the organization of the physically challenged with additional hundred thousand naira.
According to her, the twenty thousand naira will be returned back in the next one year without interest for it to be doubled, saying it will continue to the point the beneficiaries will be able to get hundred of thousands and a million naira.
Speaking on the topic, "Social Inclusion of People Living with Disability", Natasha said it is time to consider people with disability in societal governance as they are part of the people that make up the society.
"We need to begin to think about the marginalised people among ourselves and nobody can promote your cause more than he who finds himself in your shoe.
"I have three children and throughout my pregnancies, one thing that was crossing my mind is to have healthy baby but who am I if God had blessed me with your kind, I would have appreciated that more than anything", she said.
Emphasising on why disabled person should be included in governance of the society, she said since democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people, by all standard there should have been representative of the physically challenged from all spheres of government, saying it is not a demand but a right.
Speaking on the power in disability, she said human beings are all born talented irrespective of the physical condition.
According to her, people with disability have made huge role in science field because they have the time to do research.
"The finest researchers especially in the field of sciences have always been people with disability.
"The inventor of electric light bulb, Thomas Edison, was deaf but despite his disability he is the founder GE, He did not allowed his disability to limit him.
"I am hoping that in 2019, Kogi State will set pace for others to follow and give at least one percent of the political position to people living with disability", she said.
Commending the good works of Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti, the commissioner for Culture and Courtism, Kogi State, Hon. Arome Adogi said, he adores Natasha's efforts, she is a living up to the meaning of her name.
"I adore women of honour, who have the zeal to help others. Natasha is a Russian name which means celebration, it must have been a revelation to her parents to give her that name because she has been celebrated.
"What Natasha is doing today is what most people in power have not been able to do, I see her as someone who have the love of the people at heart.
"She is beautiful, she is intelligent, she has a heart of gold, and she has the connection but she is here today with you doing what others cannot do.
Giving hope to the physically challenged, he said "I want you to understand that it is not the physical appearance that qualifies you to be among the qualified
"People that have made monumental changes in life are people living with disabilities, you may be disable but most of the things you carry inside, some of us who are able don't have it", he said
Showing his gratitude to the uncommon kindness shown to his members, the Senior Special Assistance to governor Yahaya Bello on people living with disability, Hon. Hassan Ahmodu, said it is only God that can reward Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti for showing empathy to the people living with disability in Kogi State.
"People living with disabilities in Kogi State are trying in terms of education and entrepreneur, we need a strong voice that will back our voice and thanks for giving it to us", he said
Commending the golden heart of Barrister Natasha Hadiza Akpoti, the chairman of Kogi State People Living with Dissabilities, Comrade Arome Daniel Ibrahim said it is a dream come through in the lives of the physically challenged.
"Indeed you are a woman with busy schedules, but you never underrate us.
"This is the first I've ever heard in the history of Kogi State for a single person to adopt 600 children and take charge of their responsibilities
"You are an architect of positive change, a woman of valour whose hobby is advocasing for the well being of the masses, the right of others, and advocating for the revival of Ajaokuta", he said
To appreciate her uncommon efforts to make the society better, Ibrahim mandated his members from dissability community to pray for her.
In appreciation of her golden heart, award of the most caring mother in Kogi State was given to her by the community of persons living with disability, and also inducted as the grand matron of the people living with disability in Kogi State.
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