In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, Uche observed that physically challenged persons suffered neglect, lacked adequate care and love and were not supported enough by society.

“The special people among us are flesh and blood like us and we need to help them realise their human dignity and potential.

“Our governments need to do more for them to discourage discrimination against our special people so that they don’t feel depressed and contemplate suicide,” he said.

NAN reports that the Vincentian Order is a missionary society of priests and brothers founded by St. Vincent de Paul to perform social responsibility functions to society beyond priestly obligations.

The Vincentian Order of Nigeria has commissioned Uche to undertake studies at the University of Ibadan for a degree in special education as well as learn sign language.

He argued that physically challenged people, rather than being marginalised, needed to enjoy more care and support from both government and private sector organisations, especially in the area of employment.

“The physically challenged are created in the image and likeness of God, and so, should not be seen as different from others or treated with disdain.’’

Uche said that more consideration for such people would reflect positively on the Nigeria’s international image.

He urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the country to exit recession, stressing that prayer had the capacity to turn around situations for the better.

“We need to increase our prayers to overcome this difficult time and come out of economic slavery.

“Nigerians need to believe in God’s power to take us out of the difficulties that hinder nation-building.

“We need to be more patriotic, work harder and pray more to God against corruption, insecurity, hardship and economic slavery,’’ he said.