Foundation urges Nigerians to love, appreciate one another always

The National President, Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria (DSFN), Mrs Rose Mordi, on Saturday urged Nigerians to show love and care to one another while alive.

Mordi gave the advice during an event organised by the Foundation to mark her 75th birthday in Lagos.

According to her, many Nigerians are not too good at appreciating, celebrating or caring for one another, including their relatives, when they were alive but will rather care and celebrate them in death.

She said that the best time to celebrate any person, relative or a friend, is while the person is alive and healthy; and not on sick bed or death.

She said that it would be more impactful if people were shown love and care and encouraged to actualise their potential in life.

According to Mordi, what Nigerians need now is to continually love one another, embrace peace, tolerance and harmonious relationships irrespective of religious, ethnic or political affiliations so as to lay a solid foundation for the nation’s growth and development.

”It pains me when I see people throwing parties and celebrating someone in absentia especially when the person is dead.

”Celebrating someone in absentia will make no impact on his/her life because the person doesn’t even know that he is being celebrated.

“Therefore, the best time to care, love and celebrate someone is when still alive and healthy.

”Similarly, there is compelling need for Nigerians to show love to one another, eschew bigotry, ethnic rivalry and pray for the country to realise her potential,” she said.

Speaking, the Head of  Education and Social Services, DSFN, Mr Sunday Ojo, congratulated Mordi on her 75th birthday, describing her as a changer, a mentor and a true mother.

According to him, Mordi has positively touched many lives and impacted greatly in the disability community and Nigeria at large, which can never be forgotten.

He, however, called on the Federal Government to create an enabling environment that would guarantee total inclusiveness of every citizens of the country.

Ojo said there were still wide gap of connection with the governments, stakeholders and society in regards to people with disabilities.

He said that people with disabilities, particularly young adults with down syndrome, should be given opportunity to connect with the governments, stakeholders and the general public through healthcare services, education and employment.

He said that such inclusiveness would save them the burden of becoming liabilities and enable them to succeed, contribute their quota to nation’s development and be independent in life.

”Governments and stakeholders should realise that everybody has equal rights and as a result no one should be left behind.

”People with disabilities need to be loved and cared for, and be integrated into every aspects of life to enable them contribute to economic development,” he said.

Similarly, Mrs Susan Oyemade, the Board of Trustee Chairman, DSFN, thanked God for the life of Mordi and her selfless service to humanity, particularly to the disability community.

Oyemade, who also wished her more useful years ahead on earth, urged participants at the event to emulate some of the positive steps she took to make positive impact on the lives of people.