Punuka Foundation to Open Childcare Centre for Autistic Children

Wale Igbintade

The Punuka Foundation Childcare Centre will be opened on July 30, 2023, as part of the year-long events to mark the centenary of the late Supreme Court Judge, Justice Chukwunweike Idigbe.

The former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Orelope-Adefulire, will inaugurate the centre, while a Kano State-based medical professional and Public Health Specialist, Dr. Amina Abdullahi Umar, will deliver the keynote address.

The Foundation was founded by the Senior Partner of Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, Dr. Anthony Idigbe (SAN), and the Managing Partner, Mrs. Elizabeth Idigbe, in 2004 to help the needy, particularly challenged children.

The Foundation is focused on children and young adults with developmental needs such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), among others.

Mrs. Idigbe, in a statement, said: “In line with its vision, the Foundation commenced the conception, design and construction of the Childcare Centre in 2007 and completed it in 2023.

 “The facility is planned to have the right facilities and specialist staff to provide the needed therapy sessions, learning sessions and other intervention programmes.”

She added that the inauguration would coincide with her husband’s birthday.

According to her, “Dr. Idigbe has requested that all gifts intended for him on his day should be monetised and donated to the Punuka Foundation to assist it with its numerous intervention projects.”

Also, the Chairman of the Centenary Organising Committee and a Partner at Punuka, Mr. Nnamdi Oragwu, added that the year-long events would continue on August 12 with the inauguration of the ‘Honourable Justice Chukwunweike Idigbe Museum and Youth Centre’ in Asaba, Delta State.

It will be chaired by Chief Thompson Okpoko (SAN), with the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as the special guest.

A day earlier, a public lecture with the theme: ‘The Impact of Justice Idigbe on Nigerian Commercial Jurisprudence Through his Judgements’, will be held at the NBA Bar Centre in Asaba.

Professor Poonam Puri from Osgoode Hall Law School in Canada will be the guest lecturer.

On the same day, the Hon. Justice Idigbe e-Library and Resource Centre will be donated to the NBA, Asaba branch.