Eye test and surgery from previous edition
Wheel chairs and other gift items distributed from previous editions
The Kpakpando Foundation, a non governmental organisation established to create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities is set to provide succour as it celebrates its 19th Anniversary.
The date is Wednesday 30th October, 2024, with the theme “Disability Inclusion in Nation Building”. venue is the Rockview Hotel, Owerri, Imo State.
Kpakpando Foundation for Persons with Disabilities was founded in 2006 by Distinguished Senator Osita Izunaso, OFR, Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Imo State.
Major event for the year 2024 Medical Outreach for the Persons Living with Disabilities
Other high points of the event include: Provision of assistance to PWDs, Motorized and Manual wheel chairs, crutches, power generating. machines, housing and vehicular donations ; Scholarship Awards, advocacy and business trainings, among others
Expected Special Guests include : the Chief Host, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Minister for Sports, Senator John Eno and a host of other dignitaries.
Since its establishment 19 years ago, Kpakpando Foundation has empowered over 20,000 PWDs,
The Foundation has more than 1000 persons in its Tertiary/Secondary Scholarship Schemes. It has further trained and equipped and established businesses for over 3,000 people.
In partnership with other organizations such as Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, etc, the Foundation has organized several trainings in entrepreneurship and other skills for Persons with Disabilities. This was to give them the necessary tools to conquer their world.
Just of recent, request for similar partnership engagement was extended to other donor agencies like UNDP, and expectations for possible responses are being expected.
The Foundation was a major advocate for the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disability. It has won several National and International Awards to her credit. In the long run, it is envisaged that the Foundation will have a permanent Health Insurance Scheme and a Permanent School for Persons with Disabilities.
From 2017, the Foundation in addition to several Medical outreaches, embarked on eye surgery of not only the persons with disabilities but the general public with over 400 persons screened and surgery performed with successful results.
In recognition of the above successes and achievements over the years, the Foundation was honoured with the prestigious Award of Excellence at the United Nations (UN) Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disability in New York, USA in June 2017 and a Service Award by the President of United States of America, President Donald Trump in 2016/2017.
Senator Osita Izunaso, OFR and Kpakpando Foundation have avalanche of Awards in humanitarian Service to their credit which include:
Presidential Award; National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM) by President Muhammadu Buhari, 2019
President’s Volunteer Service Awards to Senator Osita Izunaso OFR (Gold) by President Donald Trump of USA, 2017
President’s Volunteer Service Awards by Kpakpando Foundation for Persons with Disabilities (Gold) by President Donald Trump of USA, 2017
*President’s Volunteer Service Awards to Senator Osita Izunaso OFR (Gold) by President Donald Trump of USA, 2016
*President’s Volunteer Service Awards to Kpakpando Foundation for Persons with Disabilities (Gold) by President Donald Trump of USA, 2016.
President’s Volunteer Service Awards to Senator Osita Izunaso OFR and Kpakpando Foundation for Persons with Disabilities (Gold) by President Joe Biden of USA, 2022, 2023
