The Anambra State Government has offered the rehabilitated Tennis star, Tania Okpala, an immediate appointment as a Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Works in the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
The wife of the state governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, disclosed this to journalists at the Governor’s Lodge in Awka, on Friday, adding that Tania is expected to use her life’s story to educate the younger ones and offer her best to social interventions and helping humanity.
Tania was seen in a viral video that circulated on social media in January roaming and wandering the streets of Awka and her deplorable condition captured the attention of the state government and other Nigerians a former tennis champion.
After the video went viral, Tania was thereafter taken to a rehabilitation centre by the state government through the state Ministry of Women and Social Welfare.
Speaking while presenting the new-look Tania to her family members in the presence of her father, Joel Okpala, Soludo stated that the state government made arrangements for the best rehabilitation facility in the state, moved her there and made sure she received the optimum care in a private ward.
Soludo said, “I’m super grateful to God for today. Around six months ago, precisely on January 28, 2024, when I came across the viral amateur video of Tania Okpala on social media, I immediately called the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, to search for her and began immediate processes for her rehabilitation. I took a passionate interest in Tania’s case because I saw a pretty woman in need of help.
“I saw a resilient soul clamoring for dire assistance. At that moment, I discussed it with my husband, Mr Governor, and we came to an agreement that the government would cater to Tania’s rehabilitation and onward integration into a fresh society.
“We made arrangements for the best rehabilitation facility in the state, moved her there and made sure she received the optimum care in a private ward. Thanks to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, who was consistently following up on her treatments and recovery.
“Though I wasn’t in the country at the time, I spoke with her often and made sure she got everything that she needed to be in the right shape. I arrived in Anambra State in the afternoon of February 23, 2024, and in the evening of that same day, I headed off to General Hospital, Awkuzu, where Tania was already recovering. We chatted, and I was impressed with the speed of her recovery.
“We took a list of other things that she needed, including books and sports gadgets, and I immediately asked my Personal Assistant to buy them that day. The next day, I asked that Tania join me in the Sunday Mass at the Governor’s Official Residence. Afterwards, we shared the dining table and chatted on a few things. She needed that motherly closure, and I was committed to supporting her through the whole recovery journey.
“After she was certified fit to leave by her private doctor, I thought of the best place to keep her so we don’t end up going back to the same old story. I got suggestions to get her a house, pay for the rent, as well as her caregiver. I wasn’t comfortable with that idea. I needed my eyes to be on her on a daily basis, and the only way to achieve that was to keep her close to me. So we got her an accommodation in one of the private staff quarters in the Governor’s Official Residence.
“Because of her love for lawn tennis, we enrolled her into a tennis club close to the governor’s residence, got her a coach, and all the gadgets needed for the sport. We felt that could help her recovery. We also got her personal psychologist who gave her routine counselling. While we were sure that she was back to her feet, we made arrangements for her admission into the university where she opted to study Psychology.”
The governor’s wife said Tania is presently studying Psychology at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka under the watchful eyes of routine psychological evaluations, ensuring that she takes her medications at the right time.
She added that Tania’s recovery is a miraculous story, revealing that her story of resilience and tenacity is one to inspire everyone.
“Today, I’m proud to say that Tania Okpala is back. God did it. We give Him all the glory. Having done our part as an administration that thinks humanity first and in fulfilment of the government’s pledge to see Tania through recovery and give her everything she needed to become a valuable addition, the Anambra State Government has decided to offer her an appointment as a Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Works.
“She will work with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Welfare and will use her life story to educate the younger ones and offer her best to social interventions and helping humanity.
“We’re motivated by Tania’s energy and zeal. Personally, I admire her intelligence and positive approach to things. I strongly believe that she can use that to bring great impact to this new task.
“As we hand her over to her family, it is our firm belief that she will use her story to redefine the world around her. I have no doubt about that as I wish this beautiful woman all the best. Thank you all, and may God bless you.”
Tania’s father, Joel, while appreciating the kind gestures of the state government, said his daughter became devastated and started wandering about shortly after her mother passed away.
He said, “Tania loved her mother so much that when the mother died, it dealt a heavy blow to her. We thank the Anambra State government for what they have done in rehabilitating her and bringing her back to life.”
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