Eze Anthony Ohaeri, a hearing and speech-impaired person, has been crowned as the traditional ruler of Umuawa Alaocha II Autonomous Community, Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North L.G.A, of Abia State.
Ohaeri coronation marked the first time, a Person With Disability, PWD, would be crowned in Abia state.
Speaking during the coronation ceremony on Saturday, the Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Disability matters, David Anyaele, restated the government’s resolve to remove barriers mitigating against persons with disabilities in the state, in order to give them a sense of belonging.
Anyaele, who also said that the government had evolved numerous programmes and policies that were aimed at improving the welfare of the citizenry, said that the government was desirous to ensure that its rebuilding agenda would be achieved.
In his remark also, the Chairman of Umuahia North Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Innocent Nwaigwe, commended the government for supporting the emergence of a hearing impaired person as a traditional ruler.
According to him, the action had demonstrated that the present administration’s commitment to run an inclusive government.
Speaking also, the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Wisdom Kalu, said that the emergence of Ohaeri as a traditional ruler had demonstrated that every member of the society should be treated as valuable.
Kalu described the event as historic and a first of its kind adding that it was worthy of note that this development had further strengthened the confidence of persons with disabilities in the state.
Speaking shortly after his coronation, the traditional ruler of Umuawa Alaocha Il Autonomous Community, Eze Anthony Ohaeri, pledged to adopt an inclusive leadership style to give everyone a sense of belonging and expressed willingness to work with well- meaning individuals and the government for sustained socioeconomic growth in the community.
“I am an enthusiast of building progressive communities and systems that would stimulate rural economy, this is because I believe when there is prosperity in the rural communities it positively impacts on the socioeconomic growth of the state and makes the job of the state government easier.
“As I take up the mantle of leadership entrusted upon me by the people of Umuawa Alaocha Autonomous Community I am conscious of the enormous responsibility that comes with it and I assure you that I will live up to expectation.”
