Ben Akak Foundation Visits Home Of The Aged, Physically Challenged In Calabar To Mark Democracy Day.

By Obio Monday

Engr. Akak presenting palliatives to
the less privileged

In fulfilment of his vision of bringing succour to the less privileged, youths, women, the aged and the vulnerable in the society especially at this difficult time of Covid-19 pandemic, philanthropist and businessman, Engr. Ben Akak on Saturday, June 13 continued his incredible philanthropic gestures as he donated, through his foundation (Ben Akak Foundation), palliatives to the aged and physically challenged persons  at St. John Paul Home of the Aged and Disables, Calabar to mark Nigeria's democracy day.

Engr. Akak who had donated palliatives to communities, organizations, religious bodies, government, traditional rulers etc was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Joseline Akak and other dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, the philanthropist said the foundation decided to visit and donate palliatives to them in commemoration of June 12, Nigeria's democracy day, a day sacrifices were made. He said the enormous sacrifices made by Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election and what he stood for propelled him to sacrifice the little he has with them and humanity.

His words: "We decided to come today to see you. As you know, yesterday was June 12, Nigeria's democracy day. a day sacrifices were made and because of that enormous sacrifice, we have decided to share our sacrifice with you.

"We know at this point, you need people with the spirit of sacrifice. Often times, people don't take you very important but you're very important.  Our foundation loves you and share in your pains especially at this difficult time and we'll be with you always".

"We are aware of the difficulties you face due to the lockdown. Most of you lost your means of livelihood but don't despair as tomorrow will be better".

Engr. Akak frowned at the tagging of old people as witches and the discrimination against people living with disability.
"Often times people don't recognise the old people because the moment you grow old, they think you are a witch. The moment you have one deficiency or one deformity, they feel there is something wrong with you. People don't naturally come to you; they expect you to come to them but as for us, we are coming to you because you are important and we love you".

He encouraged them to believe in themselves and their abilities, assuring them of the foundation's assistance in making sure they have a means of livelihood.

Receiving the items, the Coordinator of Persons Living with Disabilities in Politics, Comr. Offiong Okon thanked Engr. Akak for remembering them at this difficult time. He appealed to the foundation to join other foundations and groups to call on the government to establish national commission for disabilities.

Also speaking, Augusta Otu,
former vice president, Joint National Association of Persons Living with Disabilities - Cross River state chapter appealed to the state government to establish desk offices for people living with disabilities in each of the 18 local government areas in the state.

In a brief interview shortly after the event, a one time member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, representing Odukpani State Constituency, Hon. Godswill Eki  described Engr. Akak's gestures as awesome and marvelous.
"I have served in the state for years, I have never seen this kind of gesture before. For years, people have abandoned the less privileged. This is the first time someone is genuinely identifying with them. I call on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture".

Mrs. Joseline Akak, wife of the founder of the Ben Akak Foundation said the foundation had been reaching out to the less privileged privately. She added that the foundation is not just for the poor but for the less privileged, motherless babies and the aged in the society. She assured that foundation will continue to meet some of the needs tabled and reach out to the appropriate authorities for the ones the foundation cannot meet.

Items donated included bags of rice, beans, garri and cash.