Abia State  Disability Commission Chairman , Dr. David Anyaele has promised Deaf Persons in the state of  governor  Alex Otti’s support and assistance, and underscored the  importance of the Deafs  among persons with disabilities ( PWD ).

‎He also  assured Deaf Persons and  other members of the  disability community  that the  Commission would continue to work with them to identify opportunities that could improve their livelihoods and enable them to contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.

‎Dr. Anyaele  who spoke  when the South East Deaf Women Association (SEOWA) and representatives of the Abia State Deaf Elders  visited him in his office in Umuahia, the state capital,  further assured them of governor Otti  administration’s  support to them   through empowerment, employment, education and other programmes  that are aimed at improving their welfare and livelihoods.

‎He stated  that the Disability  Commission would continue to work with them to identify opportunities that could improve their livelihoods and enable them to contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.

‎According  to Dr  Anyaele ,  the Abia state governor  Dr Alex Otti  is deliberate in his commitment to improving the quality of lives of persons with disabilities.

” This manifests in the  several Deaf women that had been recruited into the state government workforce, which evidenced that  qualified persons with disabilities would continue to be considered for available employment opportunities”.

‎The Commission Chairman reported  that  Deaf persons had benefited from government interventions for persons with disabilities, including support provided by the state governor’s wife ,  Priscilla  Otti, even as he  further promised  that his  Commission would continue to ensure that Deaf persons would be included in relevant government programmes.

‎Noting that  the State government  has a  special secondary school for Deaf students, which he said would be progressively improved, including the provision of hostel facilities for male and female students therein,  he disclosed that  his  Commission was interested in promoting greater awareness on  issues affecting Deaf persons.

‎Speaking  on Sign-language Interpretation,  Dr Anyaele said the Commission  that he leads, had planned  to recruit qualified Sign-language Interpreters to strengthen its services, and  urged  qualified persons in the state to make themselves available.

‎Leader of the visiting   SEOWA delegation , Mrs. Maria Chidimma Alufo-Ekpo, told Dr Anyaele that their visit was to among others ,  discuss the challenges affecting Deaf persons in Abia, particularly women and children, and to explore areas of collaboration with the Commission.

‎Alufo-Ekpo appealed for greater inclusion of Deaf women in government-supported livelihood programmes, particularly agriculture, small businesses and other areas of economic empowerment, stressing that  such opportunities would help improve their independence and wellbeing.

‎‎Mrs Alufo-Ekpo tasked Dr Anyaele  to  intervene in efforts towards  restoring  peace and unity within the Abia state  Deaf  community lamenting that the  divisions arising from  the internal disagreements if not addressed,   could undermine the progress and public image of Deaf persons in the state.

Following the conferment of African  Hero Award of Honour at the 2026 edition of the Voice Africa Achievers on the Founder/Facilitator of Unubiko Foundation, Chief James Chijioke Ume, his Abam Onyerubi Kinsmen in Abia state have in reaction tasked him to do more of those things that qualified him for the honour done him.

Chief Ume holds the title of ‘Ike Abam Onyerubi’ ( The Strength of Abam Onyerubi).

The Abam Onyerubi in a kudos message to Chief Ume who is also the Publisher of The Whisler Newspaper Online and Hard Copy editions, said that ” ‎This global recognition speaks eloquently of Ike Abam’s profound philanthropic gestures, exceptional human capital investment and deep rooted community-economic development within Abam and outside Abia State through the Unubiko Foundation, Whistler and Koos Media platforms”.

Their message which was issued by the former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu, who is presently, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Abia State University Governing Council , on behalf of Abam Onyerubi leaders of thought, congratulated Chief James Chijioke Ume as their worthy son and holder of their title of ‘Ike Abam Onyerubi’ ( the strength of Abam Onyerubi)

The message signed on behalf of Hon Agwu U. Agwu by Dr ‎Uchenna Kalu Uduka, read in part “‎it is interesting to note that our brother and son, Ike Abam, was conferred the award with other distinguished African Diplomats, Leaders and Entrepreneurs, and this is first of its kind in our community.

” ‎Chief James Ume, has touched many lives through educational scholarship to over 20,000 Abians and Nigerians across all levels of education, invested in the aged and less privileged in Abam communities, partnered with faith-based organizations with his pet-foundation (Unubiko Foundation) and been actively involved in succesful professional media and public relations practice in Nigeria.

‎” We, the Abam Onyerubi sons and daughters are proud to identity with our illustrous son, Chief James C. Ume (Ike Abam Onyerubi) on this international prestigious award, and ‎are confident that this award will spur him to more action towards enhancing humanity on a global scale”.

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WRITTEN BY GORDI UDEAJAH.

Founder and Pro-Chancellor of Lux Mundi University, the first ever university in Umuahia Ibeku, the Abia State capital, Sir. Professor Barrister Gabriel O. C. Okenwa, KSS, OFR, has posited that the future of any community is largely determined by the quality, discipline, and productivity of its youth.

He said so in the Keynote address he presented at the 12th Bi-Annual Conference of the Ibeku Youth Association held at Umuajiji Isieke Ibeku in Umuahia North Council, in which he called upon the Youths to embrace Unity, Peace, Discipline and hard work in order to guarantee their success and development in life.

His address which was titled
“Harnessing Peace, Unity, Discipline and Productive Enterprise for sustainable Youth Development in Ibeku land”, was read on his behalf by Mr. Christopher Chinemeze Okenwa,.

The paper examined the critical role of unity, peace, hard work, ethical leadership, and economic engagement, particularly in agriculture, would play towards repositioning Ibeku youths for sustainable development.

While highlighting the responsibilities of community stakeholders in supporting youth programs, he strongly advised the youths against drug abuse describing drug abuse as a threat to personal, social, and economic progress in any community.

Professor Okenwa renewed call for a partnership between youths and stakeholders that should be anchored on respect, shared vision, and service-oriented leadership.

Pro-Chancellor Okenwa, who recalled that his Founded Lux Mundi University, located in Ibeku Umuahia ( within Abia state capital) , awarded scholarships to some indigenes of Abia State , particularly all the clans in Umuahia that included sons and daughters of Ibeku Clan.

National President of Ibeku Youth Association, Chief Chiedozie Martins Nwosu, during the conference, presented a scorecard of the Association, on behalf of the Executives, thanking all in attendance for their support and participation.

The well attended 12th Ibeku Youth Association bi-annual conference that had the revered Traditional Prime Minister of Ibeku Ancient Kingdom, High Chief Uche Akwukwuegbu, who is the Executive Chairman, Bawas Group of Companies, as Chairman.

While the former Abia state first Lady, Her Excellency, Chief Mercy Odochi Orji, the Osinulomaranma 1 of Ibeku, was the Special Guest of Honour, the Spiritual Father of the Conference, was the Archbishop of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo Rapheal Opoko,

Other top dignitaries of Ibeku land that participated in the conference were notable traditional rulers, including His Imperial Majesty, Eze Samuel Iheonye Onuoha, the Ogurube 4 of Ibeku Ancient Kingdom, who was the Royal Father of the day.