LG Chairman Odo Donates 18-Seater Bus to Special Needs Adult Group in Igbo-Etiti
The Executive Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area in Enugu State, Dr Eric Odo, has donated an 18-seater bus to the Special Needs Adult Group in the council.
Presenting the bus on Saturday in the council secretariat in Ogbede, Odo said that the move aimed at strengthening inclusion, mobility, empowerment and social participation for Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs).
The chairman also said that the vehicle would provides the group with a dedicated means of transportation to facilitate their activities, programmes, engagements and participation in events within and outside the council area.
He said, “The initiative is also part of the council administration’s broader commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the development process.
“By providing practical support rather than mere assurances, the administration is seeking to create an environment where members of the Special Needs Adult Group can participate more actively in community life and pursue opportunities with greater dignity and independence.”
In appreciation, the Coordinator Igbo-Etiti Youth Council, Engr Stephen Ejiofor, noted that the donation of the bus was in addition to the monthly stipend being provided to every member of the PWDs in Igbo-Etiti since Odo assumed office in 2024.
Ejiofor noted that the continued monthly financial support demonstrated that the intervention is not a one-off gesture, but part of effort to provide assistance and address some of the socioeconomic challenges faced by PWDs.
“The combination of regular financial assistance and institutional support through the provision of a dedicated 18-seater bus represents a broader approach to disability inclusion.
“One that recognises both immediate welfare needs and the importance of mobility and participation,” he said.
According to him, this development reinforces the principle that governance should extend to every segment of society, particularly vulnerable groups whose needs can sometimes receive inadequate attention.
He said, “For the beneficiaries, the 18-seater bus is expected to ease transportation challenges and provide the group with greater flexibility in attending programmes, pursuing engagements and representing their interests.
“The intervention also sends a clear message that persons with disabilities are not objects of charity but valued members of the community whose dignity, participation and contributions matter.
“As the administration continues its programmes in Igbo-Etiti, the sustained support for the Special Needs Adult Group highlights the importance of building an inclusive local government where development reaches every citizen, regardless of physical ability.”
According to him, from monthly stipends to mobility support, the message is clear that inclusion must go beyond words — it must be reflected in tangible action.