By Sandra Nnaemeka

Sub-Saharan Africa’s foremost distribution company, Technology Distributions Limited, (TD) has lent its voice to the call for greater engagement and support for the physically-challenged and other vulnerable members of the society as a means of restoring their dignity and helping them achieve their innate potential.

Anchored within its Corporate Social Responsibility programme tagged – ‘This is Me’, the first instalment of TD’s outreach saw Executive Management and staff of the company visit the Correctional Centre for Boys in Oregun, Ikeja where it hosted the boys and the special needs children of the Modupe Cole Foundation to a great time on Friday October 26^th 2018.

Also on ground were representatives of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development.

In her speech at the event, Managing Director, TD Mobile, Mrs. Ijogun noted that the physically-challenged as well as Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) make up a significant proportion of Nigeria’s population, a situation that calls for greater action to cater to this essential segment of the nation’s human capital.

“Our physically-challenged brothers and sisters as well as the vulnerable orphans and children must be engaged and trained for worthy causes instead of being encouraged to be beggars on the streets of the nation. Presently, not a lot is being done to correct this anomaly and engage this critical segment of the nation’s population.”

According to her, there are a lot of failings within the socio-economic system responsible for the poor state of affairs with respect to the level of attention given, noting that TD is determined to lead the vanguard of correcting the status-quo.

“This is Me speaks to our aspirations to kick-start a movement to identify with you; This is Me is a determination to tell you boldly that we are one; that irrespective of the physical challenges and circumstances that you face today, you are strong, you are powerful and you can rise above any limitations and achieve whatever you aspire to.

“There are still some tall buildings in this country without elevators or wheel-chair entrances to cater to the needs of the physically challenged in Nigeria. There are so many young boys and girls out there, orphaned, deprived but with immense potential that, if harnessed properly, will go a long way in taking Nigeria forward.

“At Technology Distributions Ltd., we do not think that we can change this situation overnight. But in line with our tradition of taking on big challenges and surmounting them, we will not be silent. Our voices will be heard and loudly too. Gradually, the society, the Government and other stakeholders will take notice and begin to make the necessary adjustments to policies, practices and other procedures to accommodate this most critical segment of our population,” she concluded.

Items donated by TD

For over 40 minutes, the children within the age range of 10 and 18 were grouped into 3 categories for pep talks by other TD Executives including Coordinating Managing Director, Mrs. Chioma Chimere, MD Operations, Mrs. Shade Oyebode and TDX Entity Head, Mrs. Chizoba Ezike.

In a comprehensive way, the children received inspirational messages on how they can discover and improve their talents, the importance of vocational aptitude and good education and the need to stay focused, disciplined, prayerful and imbibe good morals, among other virtues needed to achieve success.

Summing it up, Group Executive Director, Mr. Stanley Okpaeleke advised the children to form good habits and commit themselves to be better persons. He affirmed that the visit is the beginning of a new relationship and charged them to remain determined by taking control of what they would become tomorrow, irrespective of any challenge.

As part of the company’s corporate social responsibilities, some tech appliances, food and clothing items, consumer goods and stationery were presented to the school and also to the special children of Modupe Cole Foundation.

Reacting, Principal of Correctional Centre for Boys, Mr. Salau Abolaji Wasiu expressed appreciation for the relief materials and the presence of TD executives whom he decribed as role models. On her part, Coordinator of Modupe Cole Foundation, Mrs. Abdul Gafar also expressed deep gratitude to TD on behalf of the foundation.

Featuring most prominently among other activities engaged in on the day by the kids and TD staff was a quiz session on Current Affairs, a choreography session, sack race and a keenly-contested dance competition.