By Dayo Johnson, Akure

THE Handicapped Education Foundation (HANDEF), a pet programme of the wife of the former governor of Ondo State, Mrs. Olufunke Agagu, has empowered  persons with various disabilities.

Speaking at the distribution of over 550 wheelchairs to persons with disabilities in states, in the South-west and Edo State, Mrs Agagu said the wheelchairs worth N37million.

The breakdown of the wheelchairs showed that Ondo has the highest number of 219 beneficiaries, Osun 110, Oyo 51, Edo 16, and Lagos 10, Ogun 36, Ekiti 36 and Edo 16.

The well attended ceremony held in Akure was witnessed by the former governor, Dr Olusegun Agagu, his deputy  Otunba Omolade Oluwateru and wife, as well as the wife of former Osun State governor, Mrs Omolola Oyinlola.

Others that witnessed the ceremony include the representative of the Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, Mrs M U Akintaro, former commissioners, former Speaker Hon Taofiq Abdusalam, his Deputy Mayowa Akinfolarin, political office holders and former aides to the former governor.

Mrs. Agagu said that “in the eight years of operations of the HANDEF, six of which was spent while my husband was in office as governor of Ondo State, we were able to distribute about 400 wheelchairs, 200 crutches, some guide canes and callipers.