Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Anambra State Government has offered an appointment to Ms. Tania Okpala, the ex-tennis star who was captured wandering the streets of Awka in a viral video that went up on social media around six months ago.
The announcement was made by the governor’s wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, while giving the latest update on Ms. Okpala’s full recovery journey.
Recall that Mrs Soludo, on seeing the ex-tennis star’s video, immediately called the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare to bring her in for immediate rehabilitation.
The state government then pledged to support her full recovery and ensure that she got everything she needed to become a valuable addition to society.
Addressing journalists, the governor’s wife said that Tania’s appointment as a Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Works under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, would give her the opportunity to use her story to redefine the world around her and bring valuable impact to the lives of young people, especially women and children.
She said Tania’s recovery was fully taken care of by the state government, describing her survival as a miraculous story that would be used to inspire humanity.
She also added that apart from living in a private staff quarters in the Governor’s Official Residence, Tania has also been enrolled in the university where she is currently studying Psychology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Mrs Soludo also noted that the government will continue to monitor her behaviour and education through the family, adding that she was sure that she would make the best use of the opportunities that have been given.
Commending the governor’s wife, Tania’s father, Mr Joel Okpala, said that the state government has made massive impact on his daughter’s life, disclosing that the family had tried so many unconventional methods to get her back to normalcy.
She thanked Mrs Soludo for taking up the sacrifice of bringing his daughter back to full recovery and added that family would remain ever grateful to her.
On her part, Tania, who spoke about taking up the new task, said that she will take everything one step at a time, but explained that she had always looked out for an opportunity to serve Anambra State.
She thanked the governor’s wife for taking her in as her own daughter and for staying committed to her welfare all through the recovery period.
