By Lanre Oloyede
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has been appointed as the Grand Patron of the Spinal Cord Injured Association of Nigeria (SCIAN), FCT Chapter.
The honour was conferred on Hon. Abba Isa on Thursday in a brief ceremony held in his office by the Chairperson of SCIAN FCT Chapter, Mrs. Maureen Egede, alongside the Acting Youth Leader, Mr. Olushola David Ojo.
According to SCIAN, the recognition was bestowed in acknowledgment of his unwavering contributions, exceptional leadership, and dedication to advancing the rights, welfare, and inclusiveness of persons with spinal cord injuries.
Explaining the reason behind the appointment, Mrs. Egede said the recognition was inspired by Hon. Abba Isa’s tireless efforts in promoting the rights and welfare of persons with spinal cord injuries. She praised him for being accessible, supportive, and consistently standing with the association despite his demanding official schedule.
Mrs. Egede described Hon. Abba Isa as “a father to the SCIAN FCT Chapter” for his consistent care, accessibility, and support, even at short notice despite his tight schedules. She recalled how the SSA has consistently sponsored the annual World Spinal Cord Injury Day since his assumption of office, noting that this year’s edition was particularly outstanding.
She further recounted how, during the 2024 celebration, Hon. Abba Isa personally fulfilled a promise he made by delivering a wheelchair to one of their members at her residence, describing the gesture as a testament to his compassion and commitment.
“These humanitarian acts are what motivated us to appoint him as the Grand Patron of SCIAN FCT Chapter,” Mrs. Egede stated.
In his acceptance remarks, Hon. Abba Isa, himself a spinal cord injury survivor and member of SCIAN, expressed gratitude and emotion at the recognition.
He reaffirmed his office’s partnership with the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board (MRTB) to establish neuro-medical rehabilitation centres in all six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
“With this honour, my office belongs to SCIAN. I will continue to work for you and support you. I dedicate this recognition to Mr. President and the over 35.5 million Nigerians with disabilities,” Hon. Abba Isa said
