The Rotary Club of Abuja, Maitama, on Wednesday presented N1.5m electric wheelchair to a polio survivor, Mr Festus Aziken, as part of its humanitarian activities in the territory.
Aziken, a staff member of the General Hospital in Maitama, who also works with the Hospital’s Management Board in Garki, had suffered polio at the age of nine and has been crawling for the past 32 years.
In his address at the presentation event, the club’s President, Yusuf Ali, said the club was by the provision of the item, adding value to society.
Ali said, “One of our big dreams is to lift those challenged as part of our avowed commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Today, we have put your treasures together to buy a N1. 5m electric chair for Festus Emmanuel Aziken, a polio survivor, who has been crawling for 32 years.
“He has never allowed adversity to kill his dreams. RC Abuja Maitama, by this token, is adding sustainable value to his life.
“When he spoke with me last night, he said the electric chair will ‘aid my movement within and outside the vicinity to be able to fend for myself. Yes, my arms are becoming weak as I age on.’ His fate reminds all of us of our charity obligation because we are all pencils in the hands of God.”
Aziken, while sharing stories of his travails in the past 32 years, thanked the club for the gift, adding that it will help him in moving around and in discharging his duties.