Succor came the way of 14 persons living with disability in Ilorin Kwara state as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Ilorin office enhanced their movement through the donation of 14 wheel chairs.

The Ilorin branch of the apex bank also distributed food stuff and toiletries to the inmates of the Hope Ophanage, Idofian in Ifelodun local government area of the state.

The elated beneficiaries echoed a deafening thank you to the donor in appreciation of what the bank has done for them.

They promised not to abuse the privilege given to them and appealed to similar agencies and well meaning Nigerians to emulate the good example of CBN.

Speaking at the brief ceremony, the CBN branch controller, Mr. Monday Olotewo, called on government to enact a disability law which would cater for the needs of the disabled especially, in public places like schools, hospitals, bus stops, banks and offices.

He opined that the law if enacted would make the disabled to have full and equal access to property, goods and services just like any other person.

Olotewo implored all well meaning Nigerians to lend a helping hand to the disabled and other less privileged members of the society, urging them to always see them as their brothers and sisters.

He said the apex band would continue to show uncommon compassion  towards its immediate environment, saying that the branch has contributed immensely to the upliftment of living standard of the less privileged in the society.

The CBN boos added, "sometimes ago, the management of Central Bank of Nigeria directed each branch of the bank to create an alms fund. The fund was to source finance through free will donations of members of staff, the bank customers and visitors and use the fund realized to identify with the less privileged.

"In this regard, the branch had in the past visited the Ilorin prisons, Motherless babies home Ilorin, ECWA Leprosarium, Oke-Igbala in Omu-Aran and Hope Orphanage Idofian where various items like 14-seater bus, generator, medical equipment, furniture, food items and renovation of buildings were donated and/or carried out.

"I need to let you know that whatever you see here today came as a  result of the efforts of the staff of the branch in their individual capacity and not officially from CBN. They willingly made available certain percentage of their salary per annum to cater for the less privileged".

He disclosed that the staff of the branch has procured 14 wheelchairs for beneficiaries who were identified by a non-governmental organization – Tunde and Friends Foundation.

Olatewo praised the staff of CBN for the kind gesture, praying Almighty God to bless them as He will always bless a cheerful giver.

"I will also like to appreciate Tunde and Friends foundation for collaborating with us to identify the beneficiaries", he said.

He noted with delight that, "the just concluded Olympic Games in London made us to understand one lesson; that there is ability in disability. What the able-bodied athletes could not do was perfectly done by the people with disability. They just need encouragement and support. I will like to call on the executive and the legislative arms of government to enact a disability law".

In his remarks, the chairman Tunde and Friends foundation, Engineer Ademola Adesiyun who identified the beneficiaries thanked CBN for its concern for the poor masses.

He called on other government agencies in the country to emulate the good example of the apex bank.

The founder of Hope Orphanage, Idofian, Mrs Christie Omolehin who was represented by Mrs. Ifeoluwa Amodu commended the efforts of the bank at putting smile on the faces of the downtrodden.

One of the beneficiaries and a post graduate student of the University of Ilorin, Mr. Onyema Madua urged the government to compel similar organizations like CBN to engage in community development and as well assist the needy in their areas of operation.

He said companies should be supported to assist the less privileged to the point of encouraging the youths to set up little businesses to reduce unemployment in the country.