Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode has urged children without limbs and other physically challenged persons not to allow their situation to deter them for aiming high in life.

She gave the charge at the presentation of cheques of N1.5million each, to five pupils of different nursery, primary and secondary schools, as part of the Stanbic IBTC’s “Out for a Limb” corporate social project, to fix the limbs of some children amputees and those with congenital limb defects.

Mrs. Ambode who said that the population of limbless persons in Nigeria was increasing because of the insurgency ravaging North Eastern Nigeria, stressed that children and others in that condition could still excel in life with determination and the right attitude to life.

According to her, “The situation that these young ones have found themselves, largely for no fault of their own, is both pathetic and heart-breaking. While their situation may be considered pitiable and a set-back, it is certainly not the end of the world.

“Examples abound in countries around the world where persons with challenges like this and others, came out as world number one materials, where people with limbs could not excel.”

She commended the Stanbic IBTC group and lrede foundation for their diligence in the execution of corporate social responsibility projects. Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Shola David-Borha, noted that the group’s corporate social investment considerations has always revolved around health, education and economic empowerment, but had decided to narrow it to a new sensitive area, relatively untouched by such social investments.

She disclosed that the group was touched by the plight of limbless children and the attendant academic draw- backs, hence the partnership with lrede Foundation, for the maiden event to fix their limbs, and support the continuity of their education.