Leke Baiyewu, Abuja
President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has pledged to contribute towards the sponsorship of a spinal cord corrective surgery for a six-year-old boy, Ali Ahmadu, ran over by Boko Haram terrorists.
Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mohammed Isa, made the pledge when the victim was presented to him in Abuja by officials of the Global Initiative For Peace, Love and Care, a non-governmental organisation, spearheading the campaign for his medical care.
The Senate President, while sympathising with Ali and his parents, promised to mobilise his colleagues to offset the balance of the cost of the treatment after the group had collected donations from members of the public.
The NGO had told Saraki that it had already commenced soliciting for donations from corporate bodies and individuals on behalf of the kid.
Saraki said, “This is not just what we must be seen to be doing; this is all about serving people. It will be a great joy for us to have someone like Ali back to normal life. My colleagues and I will contribute whatever the shortfall of what you will raise in form of donations to make sure he is given adequate medical attention.
“Ali is not like many kids that are not fortunate to survive Boko Haram attacks; and as a society that keeps seeking for foreign assistance, we ourselves should be able to do things like this ourselves. This is an opportunity for us to show our compassion to the victims of Boko Haram.
“We will continue to work harder to bring an end to these crises in the North-East to bring an end to the issue of humanitarian and food crisis there.”
Earlier, the GIPLC Coordinator, Mr. Nuhu Kwajafa, said Ali, who hails from Chibok town in Borno State, was injured by Boko Haram vehicle when the insurgents invaded the town three years ago.
Kwajafa said the NGO had consulted several hospitals in the United States, India and the United Arab Emirates for the treatment of Ali.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
source: http://ift.tt/2uKC60x
http://ift.tt/eA8V8J