Irede foundation is partnering with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (NNPC/SNEPCo) to promote inclusion for children living with disabilities by providing them with prosthesis limbs.

Founder, Irede Foundation, Crystal Chigbu, said the such partnership would allow some children with disabilities to go back to school and have access to education to stop the cycle of poverty.

Speaking at the official handover of the 2022 NNPC/SNEPCo Back to School Project by the foundation, which gave five limbs to four children, Chigbu, stressed the role the prosthetic limbs play in ensuring and driving inclusion for the children which gives them confidence and access to any environment.

She explained that the limbs give parents the opportunity to live the desired life and not be saddled with the responsibility to quit their jobs to take care of children with special needs.

She added that through the partnership, they have reached 10 million people this year.

The beneficiaries were Lekan Olusesi, Perry Odigie, Adejumo AbdulKhalid and Olakunle Inioluwa.

One of them, Odigie, whose limb was amputated on August 31, 2017, exactly on his fifth birthday, expressed excitement and gratitude that he could now go back to school and learn with his peers.

Speaking Venture Manager, Bonga and Bonga North, Shell, Adegoke Areje, who represents, the Managing Director of NNPC/SNEPCo, Elohor Aiboni, said:  “In NNPC/SNEPCo, apart from our long history of successfully developing deep-water energy projects in Nigeria, we have also shown an unwavering commitment to the socio-economic development of our country and its people.”

Applauding the efforts of the foundation, in organising the project, she expressed joy over the growth of the partnership and the additions of beneficiaries.

According to her, the partnership has enabled an inclusive learning environment through educating children in public schools across Lagos and Port Harcourt on disability awareness through the distribution of Comic book.