Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, will on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, officially flag off empowerment programmes for Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, across the three Senatorial Districts of Akwa Ibom State. The event is scheduled to hold at Ikot Ekpene.
The initiative is being carried out by Dudu Foundation, a humanitarian charity, in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The programme will provide wheelchairs to aid mobility and trade tools to support economic livelihood for people living with disabilities.
According to a statement issued by the Founder of the Foundation, Ms Edu Offong, the Senate President will be joined by the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, during the event.
The statement also highlighted that Senator Akpabio has been a strong supporter of the Foundation since its creation during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“When I first heard of the efforts of an ordinary citizen to step in to assist the government in helping the vulnerable in our society, I was moved,” Senator Akpabio said. Dr Ogbuku was also reported to have been inspired by the zeal and passion of the Foundation’s Founder, describing the work as a way of bringing succour to those with disabilities.
The empowerment programme is designed to reach 90 beneficiaries in total, with 30 selected from each of the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State.
The selection process was carried out through an online nomination portal that was opened to the public last month. Organisers explained that the use of the portal ensured transparency and allowed the public to play a role in nominating beneficiaries.
The statement added that the programme falls within the social welfare plans of the NDDC, aimed at making the Niger Delta region an inclusive space for all persons regardless of gender, ability, or skill level.
Dudu Foundation, known for initiatives such as the Back to School programme and financial support for entrepreneurs, is extending its outreach once again with this empowerment scheme to provide tools and opportunities for vulnerable groups in the state.