By Terna Chikpa
The Federal Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) Additional Financing, in collaboration with the Taraba State Government through the Ministry of Social Justice, Ministry of Social Development and Human Services, and the Department of Public Health, Taraba State University, have commenced efforts to strengthen personal hygiene practices among people with special needs.
Speaking during a life-skills training workshop on Saturday in Jalingo, the Taraba State Commissioner for Social Justice, Dr Felister Irarimam, and the Commissioner for Social Development and Human Services, Hon. Shonzen J. Bernard, said the initiative was aimed at promoting personal hygiene and addressing other health-related issues among people with special needs.
According to the commissioners, the programme was also designed to improve the participants’ knowledge and practices regarding personal hygiene.
The commissioners disclosed that the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas was working closely with relevant health agencies to ensure that people with special needs receive basic training on personal hygiene practices while strengthening general hygiene practices among residents of the state.
“This initiative is part of Governor Agbu Kefas’ continued effort to strengthen hygiene practices among people with special needs. The aim is to adequately educate and equip them with skills on personal hygiene practices and other health-related issues,” the commissioners stated.
Meanwhile, the IFAD-VCDP State Programme Coordinator, Irimiya Musa, represented by the Director of Administration, Bulus Maiyaki, encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to maintain good personal hygiene.
He expressed the commitment of the IFAD-VCDP Additional Financing to supporting people with special needs, noting that maintaining personal hygiene requires deliberate support to be sustained.
In his vote of thanks, the leader of people with special needs in Taraba State, Mr Ali Matudi, commended the IFAD-VCDP and other collaborating institutions for organising the programme.
He described the programme as a genuine demonstration of concern by the organisers towards ensuring healthy living among people with special needs.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the life-skills training brought together people with special needs from various associations across Taraba State.