Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
It was a triumph of inclusivity as visually impaired members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) out shined NUJ in a football match to commemorate the International Day of Persons With Disability.
The Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) NGOs of Nigeria, and partners, Anambra State, marked the 2023 16 Days of Activism with the unique football match at ABS Premises in Awka.
The visually impaired team of JONAPWD faced non-visual media professionals from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Chapter.
Team JONAPWD emerged victorious, dominating Team NUJ with an impressive 5-0 scoreline. The NUJ members, in a gesture of solidarity, took on the challenge blindfolded, experiencing first-hand the challenges faced by their JONAPWD counterparts.
The star of the match was undoubtedly Kenechukwu Agbanu, the striker for Team JONAPWD, who netted all five goals. The NUJ team, visibly shocked, expressed disbelief at the remarkable skill and swiftness displayed by their visually impaired rivals in locating the ball and finding the goal post without the ability to see.
At the conclusion of the fiercely contested match, Mr. Ugochukwu Okeke, the State Chairman of JONAPWD, commended the organisers for fostering inclusivity and understanding through the innovative event. He highlighted the significance of such initiatives in promoting awareness and breaking down barriers.
Mrs. Josephine Onah, the State Focal Person for the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), also expressed her appreciation for the event, acknowledging its positive impact on promoting inclusiveness and understanding among diverse groups.
Other partners include: Child Protection Network, CPN among others.
Ikengaonline reports that the impactful event received support from The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme of International IDEA and the European Union, further emphasising the importance of collaboration in creating a more inclusive society.
