The U.S. President, Barack Obama has awarded a Nigerian Journalist, Mr. Edwin Nwachukwu the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
The Volunteer Service Award is a recognition by the UN President of individuals that have helped to address the needs of persons with disabilities.
Delivering the award, President Obama commended the Nigerian Journalist “for helping to address the most pressing needs in the country”.
By this gesture, President Obama said that Nwachukwu had demonstrated that assisting people with disabilities “are duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but rather seize gladly, firm in knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit than giving our all to a difficult task. ”
Showering more encomiums on the journalist who is the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) North America Correspondent, Obama said “his volunteer service demonstrates the kind of commitment to his community that moves America a step closer to its great promise”.
While commending Nwachukwu for “devotion to service and doing all you can to shape a better tomorrow” Obama pointed out that while government could open more opportunities to serve the U.S. communities, it was up to each of the citizens to seize those opportunities.
Also appreciating the journalist, Chief Eric Ufom, President of FESTAC – USA & Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities, said “for support and contributions towards improving the image of Nigeria abroad, Nwachukwu deserves to be recognised and honoured ’’.
Ufom, whose organisation is a foundation member of the International Disability Alliance ( IDA ) commended the journalist for “being part of raising Nigeria’s bar very high and setting an excellent standard for the country during the 5th session of the conference of States for those with disabilities.
He also thanked him, “for playing a very major role through all those your excellent publications about our side event at the Nigerian Mission, on the occasion of 5th Session of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), RI World Congress in South Korea, Election of Ms. Ekaete Umoh, as the Vice President, RI African
[Vanguard]
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