Elohor Aiboni, Managing Director of SNEPCo
Crystal Chigbu, the Executive Director of IREDE Foundation
Asaolu Ibiyemi (Asset Manager) SNEPCo, during the Handover event to mark the 5th anniversary of NNPC/SNEPCO partnership with Irede Foundation on Tuesday in Lagos.
The Irede Foundation has marked the fifth year anniversary of it’s partnership with NNPCL/SNEPCO which had fostered the empowerment and inclusion of child amputees across the country.
The fifth anniversary of the partnership marks the end of the “Back to School Project, “which began in 2018.
The anniversary was marked with a ‘Handover Event’ hosted at the NNPC/ SNEPCo Office in Lagos.
The project had two fundamental goals: To empower child amputees so that they can return and stay in school.
Increase disability awareness among children enrolled in public schools through the Irede Foundation comic book, IREDIANS and the Out On A Limb Advocacy Walk.
Elohor Aiboni, the Managing Director of SNEPCo, who spoke at the event, expressed her delight at the success of the partnership.
Aiboni said the NNPC/SNEPCo’s unwavering support has led to the empowerment of child amputees and the distribution of copies of the ‘Iredian’ comic book across schools to advocate for children living with disabilities.
“Also we provided an upgraded orthotic device and mobility aid to a young teacher enabling him to continue teaching and inspiring his pupils.
”Promoted inclusion through direct and indirect outreach to millions of people through the Out-on-A-Limb Walk and upgraded the Irede Foundation’s Prosthetic Limb Center for conducive limb production, fitting, and rehabilitation process,” Aiboni said.
She said the champions(Child Amputees) not only attend school but excel academically, demonstrating the impact of the partnership.
Crystal Chigbu, the Executive Director of the Irede Foundation, noted that the partnership brought about an amazing transformation in the life of the champions(child amputees).
Chigbu explained that through the partnership, access to quality inclusive education has been provided, dreams restored, and the spark of possibility ignited in the hearts of champions like Alliameen, Quadri, Simeon, and Deborah, among others.
”The partnership has also increased disability awareness and influenced positive behavior among pupils in various schools.”
She said that 20 champions were sent back to school and were empowered with 23 prosthetic limbs during the project’s duration.
Also speaking, Wuraola Kayode, Programmes Lead at the Irede Foundation, thanked the partners. NNPC/SNEPCO for believing and trusting in the foundation.
NAN reports that the event also featured champions who received support in 2023.
Also present at the event are dignitaries from SNEPCo, including Asaolu Ibiyemi (Asset Manager), Odugbesan Bamidele (Comms, Media, and NGO Relations Manager), Elohor Abu (Head SNEPCo SP), Jonathan Amakiri (Senior Asset Manager), and Asmau Wali (Business Adviser to MD).
Others included NIUMS dignitaries, Mrs. Bunmi Lawson (Deputy Manager of External Affairs) and Mrs. Joy Eguahon (Senior Adviser of Community Relations)
The Handover Event marked a significant milestone in the empowerment, inclusion, and transformation journey, with Irede Foundation and NNPC/SNEPCo committing to creating a more inclusive society for all.
