By Fabian Ekeruche
Lagos, April 6, 2022
Irede Foundation, a not- for -profit organisation, has said it is giving out 100 limbs to children with disabilities in 2022.
The Executive Director of the foundation’, Mrs. Crystal Chigbu, stated this at a news conference to announce the 2022 “Out on a Limb” Campaign across the world taking place today, April 9.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the month of April globally is dedicated to the loss of limbs.
Chigbu said that 2022 would mark the 9th anniversary of the ” Out on a Limb” campaign for the foundation’ and the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the foundation’.
According to her, the theme for the 2022 celebration is ” Iredians”.
“We are holding the walk in 40 locations across the world simultaneously.
“We will be in London, Germany, France, Kenya, to mention, but a few.
” Twenty states of the federation are already confirmed for the walk, Kafanchan, Oshogbo, Ikorodu, etc.
“We are stopping the stigmatisation, and stereotypes associated with limb loss,” Chigbu said.
The executive director said that the two km walk would bridge the gap between Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and those without.
Chigbu said that the foundation aims to raise 10, 000 advocates through the campaign.
She enjoined the general public to refer any child without limbs to the foundation’.
Chigbu expressed deep appreciation to NNPC and it’s subsidiaries, Procter and Gamble, the 7 up company for partnering with the foundation.
Also speaking, the Senior Programme Officer of the foundation’, Miss Wuruola Kayode said that the foundation had given out 252 limbs to children with disabilities since inception.
She said that a Limb costs averagely 1.2-1.5 million naira, depending on the exchange rate.
Speaking on the theme of the campaign, “Iredians,” the Programme Officer of the foundation, Mr Gerald Obasi, said that the concepts revolve around five disability types, limb loss, cerebral palsy, autism, blindness and polio.
Obasi said that five children represented these types of disabilities.
“It is used to depict the challenges faced by the kids while living together,” Obasi said.
He said that the concept achieved it’s aim by stopping bullying among the kids as they learn to tolerate one another.
NAN reports that the walk, which will begin at Ikoyi and Iyana Ipaja will feature notable artists, comedians and actors.
