The Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons has commenced a week-long capacity-building workshop for disability therapists and caregivers as part of efforts to strengthen professional care and expand access to quality rehabilitation services for children and persons with disabilities across the state.
Declaring the workshop open, the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. David Anyaele, said the initiative reflects the vision of Governor Dr. Alex Otti to build an inclusive society where every citizen, regardless of disability, can live with dignity and achieve their full potential.
Dr. Anyaele explained that the training was designed to equip therapists and caregivers with practical skills, up-to-date knowledge and professional competence required to deliver quality care, particularly for children living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
He noted that many families caring for children with disabilities continue to grapple with social, emotional and financial challenges, stressing the need to build a strong network of trained professionals capable of providing effective support within local communities.
According to him, disability care requires not only technical expertise but also compassion, patience and a deep commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable persons.
“This training is not just about career development; it is also about service to humanity,” Dr. Anyaele said, urging participants to remain committed to learning and to apply the knowledge acquired in improving the lives of persons with disabilities.
He further disclosed that participants would be assessed throughout the programme, adding that those who demonstrate exceptional dedication and competence would be considered for advanced training and future supervisory responsibilities as the Commission expands disability support services across Abia State.
“We are raising people who will go into our communities to provide immediate support. This training is the first phase, and those who distinguish themselves will move on to the next level,” he said, encouraging participants to become advocates of inclusion by promoting the rights, dignity and wellbeing of persons with disabilities.
In separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pastor Eno Jerry, represented by Mrs. Ifeoma Agu, commended the Commission for investing in the professional development of therapists and caregivers, describing the workshop as a strategic intervention that would improve public service delivery and advance disability inclusion.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Agomoh Princess Orieji, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive healthcare, noting that strengthening the capacity of frontline therapists and caregivers would improve rehabilitation services and enhance health outcomes for persons with disabilities across the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Abia State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu, represented by Dr. Adaugo Onwere, and the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Blessing Felix, represented by Mr. Boniface Kalu, applauded the Commission for the initiative and pledged the continued support of their respective institutions towards advancing disability inclusion and improving the welfare of persons with disabilities in Abia.
Highlighting the importance of the training, the lead facilitator, Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, said the workshop was designed to equip therapists, caregivers, teachers and primary healthcare workers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, understand and support children with developmental and intellectual disabilities more effectively. She emphasised that meaningful disability care begins with education rather than mere awareness, adding that participants would be better equipped to provide early intervention, improve rehabilitation outcomes and offer appropriate support to children and their families in schools, healthcare facilities and communities.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Miss Precious Mbaraonye, a special educator at the Special Education Centre for the Deaf and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, described the workshop as timely and impactful, saying it had expanded her understanding of caring for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She appealed to the Abia State Government to establish a specialised school for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, noting that many families currently face enormous financial and emotional burdens in seeking specialised therapy outside the state.
Another participant, Mr. Ndubisi Oriaku, expressed appreciation to the Commission for organising the workshop, stating that the training had equipped therapists and caregivers with practical skills that would enhance service delivery and enable them to make a greater impact in the lives of persons with disabilities. He expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would translate into improved care, better rehabilitation outcomes and greater inclusion across Abia State.
The week-long workshop brought together therapists, caregivers, teachers, primary healthcare workers and other stakeholders in the disability sector to deepen their understanding of contemporary approaches to disability care and rehabilitation. The initiative forms part of the Commission’s broader commitment to building an inclusive Abia State where persons with disabilities enjoy access to quality support services and equal opportunities to participate fully in society.
