Al-Makura marks 66th birthday with Physically challenged pupils

By Isaac Ukpoju/Lafia

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa state on Thursday celebrated his 66th birthday at the Comprehensive Special School for the physically challenged in Lafia.

Al-Makura, who joined the pupils in some of their recreational activities and had lunch with them, explained that his decision was to inspire the pupils to fulfil their dreams in life.

He noted that his 66th birthday was memorable being his last in office as governor of Nasarawa state.

Al-Makura said that he chose to celebrate it with the physically challenged as his primary constituency given his hearing impairment.

“This birthday celebration is very special and memorable to me being the last during my administration as governor of Nasarawa state.

“So, I chose to be with the Calibre of people am passionate about and always advocating for, as an inspirator to raise their hope and brighten their future.

“I decided that they would be no fanfare and elaborate merriment for my birthday rather than being with the children living with disabilities at the Comprehensive Special school in Lafia.

“Today, I am here to be within my primary constituency to celebrate my birthday and let them know that any of them could become a governor or occupy a higher public office in future,” He said.

Al-Makura said that the Comprehensive Special School was not only geared towards providing education to the pubils but total life reformation.

He said specialists in various areas of disabilities were on ground to attend to the needs of all the wards.

He said the school would continue to seek expert attention towards reversing some of the redeemable disabilities, especially partial visual impairment.

“Apart from giving them education, the experts would be monitoring the progress of the status of their disabilities to see the support and assistance we can give.

“We would be providing glasses for those with partial visual impairment, hearing aids for the hard to hearing as well as those requiring certain mobility aids,” Al-Makura added.

He said his administration had put adequate structures in place to ensure that the school is sustained beyond his term in office.