Group campaigns against Autism in Cross River

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

A Social group, under the aegis of Healthy Millionaires fitness Club in Calabar, weekend mobilized about 5000 people from different fitness clubs and take to a 12 kilometers walk in the city of Calabar to campaign against autism in the  State.

They maintained that autistic children have the right to life 

The Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem who represented the State Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu  made this known while flagging off the 6th edition of Calabar Walkathon.

The program was organized by healthy millionaires fitness club on Saturday with the theme: ‘”A walk for autism and other related neuro development disorders”.

The governor said  “autism was often associated with witchcraft.

“It is just a neuro disorder and has nothing to do with witchcraft. In my community back then, autistic children were taken to the evil forest and I thank the Healthy Billionaires fitness club for this awareness they are creating to sensitize the people”.

“An autistic child is not a witch and deserves the right to life and education”.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Healthy Billionaires fitness club, William Archibong  stated that the awareness is in conjunction with other fitness clubs  and they aim to create awareness about misconceptions around autism. 

He maintained that people exist in the society with this disorder, advising that those who are in good health should not see autistic children; as misfits but collectively create an  enabling environment for them to thrive.