Indomie Supports Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria

The Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria (SCIAN) sporting activities on June 11, 2008, received a major financial boost with the decision of De-United Foods Industries, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles to lend its support to its activities.

The Noodles manufacturer has undertaken the cost of sponsorship and donated several of its products as well as promotional items towards the successful hosting of its sporting tournament.

Speaking during the presentation at the SCIAN, Lagos Chapter Secretariat at Amuwo Odofin, the PR Manager, De-United Foods, Temitope Ashiwaju commended the courage and outlook towards life exemplified by members of the association and pledged his company’s commitment towards partnering various governmental and non-governmental organisations in the promotion of causes that have direct bearing on the lives of the people.

“It pleases us to support noble causes and organization like yours. I really want to commend your courage and outlook towards life. It is our hope that this donation will go a long way in the restoration of dignity and productivity for countless persons living with this disability. Your service is commendable and everybody should give it the necessary support it deserves.”

In his reaction, the Chairman, Lagos Chapter, SCIAN, Mr. Noe Afolayan accompanied by Mr. Obioha Ononogbu, Ag. National Chairman and other executives of the association at the SCIAN Secretariat, Amuwo Odofin expressed the association’s appreciation to De-United Foods for its timely support and also assured that the token aid will be judiciously used.

Afolayan explained that the association which was founded in 1984 stemmed from the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi with the primary intent of enlightening sufferers about the spinal cord injuries and how to cope with the situation in the best possible way, to live a productive life afterwards and also to educate the public about the causes of spinal cord injuries.

“Many sufferers of the spinal cord injury give up on life at the incidence of their injury. Sadly, only few try to make success out of their residual abilities. Many cannot cope with the psychological trauma of not being physically active anymore. Hence, as an association, we are enlightening sufferers, whether they are members of the association or not, that they can harness their residual abilities, acquire new skills that do not or may not require more physical exertion depending on the case and become successful in life.”

Speaking further, Afolayan mentioned that some of the landmarks of the association include its working with the Lagos State Government to put into law the Rights of the Disabled. Also, members who possess or have acquired relevant job skills have been placed on jobs.

In addition, the Ag. National Chairman, Mr. Obioha Ononogbu stated that since the centre was developed in 1995, the association has achieved key facilities such as the secretariat, few residential apartments, clinic, and workshop courtesy of donors and sponsors. “However, there are still so much to be done. We appreciate all our donors and I will like to call on other corporate bodies to emulate De-United Foods Ind. Ltd and other donors in meeting these needs”.

The National body of Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria was formally established in 1984 while the Lagos Chapter was inaugurated on April 2, 1998. SCIAN is a self-help organization of disabled persons with spinal cord injuries. The purpose of SCIAN is to promote effective rehabilitation, employment and welfare of spinal cord injured persons in particular and all disabled person in general to enable them live meaningful lives and contribute their quota to national development.