Recall former tennis star, Tania Okpala, who was captured wandering the streets of Awka and begging for alms in a viral video on social media around six months ago? She has been offered an appointment as a Special Assistant to the Governor of Anambra State on Social Works under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare.
Ms Tania, who was said to be heavily into drugs due to frustration, was picked up by the State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, on the directive of the wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo.
Over the last six months, Tania has been in Mrs. Soludo’s full care, taking her psychological appointments and lawn tennis classes.
The state government then pledged to support her full recovery and ensure that she got everything she needed to become a valuable addition to society.
Announcing the appointment at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, while giving the latest update on Ms. Okpala’s full recovery journey, the governor’s wife said her appointment would give her the opportunity to use her story to redefine the world around her and bring valuable impact to the lives of young people, especially women and children.
She said Tania’s recovery was fully taken care of by the state government, describing her survival as a miraculous story that would be used to inspire humanity.
“Apart from living in a private staff quarter in the Governor’s Official Residence, Tania has also been enrolled in the university where she is currently studying Psychology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
“The state government will continue to monitor her behaviors and education through the family and I am sure that she would make the best use of the opportunities that have been given to her,” Mrs Soludo enthused.
Commending the governor’s wife, Tania’s father, Mr Joel Okpala said the state government has made a massive impact on his daughter’s life, disclosing that the family had tried so many unconventional methods to get her back to normalcy.
She thanked Mrs Soludo for taking up the sacrifice of bringing his daughter back to full recovery and added that the family would remain ever grateful to her.
On her part, Tania, who spoke about taking up the new task, said she would take everything one step at a time, but explained that she had always looked out for an opportunity to serve Anambra State.
“I sincerely want to thank the governor’s wife for taking me in as her daughter and for staying committed to my welfare all through my recovery period,” she said.
