By Etop Ekanem

A philanthropist, Dr. Kelly Nwogu, through his Livelihood Support Initiative empowerment programme, weekend, donated sewing machines, wheelchairs and other equipment to the physically-challenged in Lagos, while calling on well-meaning Nigerians and non-governmental organisations to reach out to indigents.

According him, “we have no fewer than 23 million disabled persons in Nigeria. If there are 23 million disabled persons, it means some of these people have children and definitely, the children will go to school so that they will not become criminals.”

Nwogu, the Managing Director/CEO of Livelihood Homes, said: “I was born and raised by a crippled mother. If my mother did not send me to school, I could have ended up becoming a robber or kidnapper.

“If we do not want crime in our society, it is time for us to consider the disabled people and see how we can start helping them now, so that crime can be reduced in our country.”

Nwogu, who is also the owner of Blue Sea Estate Property, called on international community, NGOs and individuals to be part of the programme, adding “we are raising N100 billion to start agriculture for these people.

“I want to establish a national farm for the disabled, which will be situated in Nupe, Niger State. If we can produce food crops in this place, we can feed the whole of West Africa. I am not the only one involved in this programme; I am only the voice of the disabled.”