Zebrudaya urges less dependence on foreign aid

Ace artiste Chika Okpara (aka Zabrudaya), named Leprosy Ambassador, has demanded Nigerians to contribute to ease the plight of people affected by leprosy (PALs), facing stigma and discrimination. He was among central figures at a fundraising in Abuja for The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) to increase financing for working with PALs. Okpara said dependence on […]

Ace artiste Chika Okpara (aka Zabrudaya), named Leprosy Ambassador, has demanded Nigerians to contribute to ease the plight of people affected by leprosy (PALs), facing stigma and discrimination.

He was among central figures at a fundraising in Abuja for The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) to increase financing for working with PALs.

Okpara said dependence on international donations, which are beginning to dry up, puts the lives and wellbeing of seriously neglected PALs in jeopardy and uncertainty.

Acting national coordinator of TLMN, Dr Moses Onoh, said local funding for working with PALs was gradually increasing but still needed to fill gaps in donations from abroad.

The funding pays for treatment for PALs, artificial limbs for those living with leprosy-related deformities, education of their children, empowerment to enable them regain their place in society.

Donations coming from local citizens and corporate organisations have scaled into millions of Naira in the two years TLMN has held fundraising dinners.