Hon. Mohammed Ibrahim Yahaya is a person with physical disability form Jos south local government of Plateau state. He was born into a family of ten children, two males and eight females. His father was married to a wife but today, he is married to two wives and he is blessed with six male children. He was not born with disability, but became a person with disability when he was two years old, after a sudden illness, of which he remained sick for about seven years before he got better but he could not use his legs anymore.
In this interview with Bulus Izang, he spoke about his education and challenges
TQM. Having been sick as a child for such a long time, which result to your disability, were you privileged to have formal education?
Ans. yes, I was that privileged.
TQM. What is or are the names of schools you attended?
Ans. I attended Jol EKAN primary school, for my primary education, in Jol District of Riyom Local Government of Plateau State, from there, I proceeds to Government Secondary School Rim, also in Riyom Local Government, I later completed my secondary education in Government Collage Zawang. After that, I did a Diploma in Public Administration at the University of Jos.
TQM. What work is Mohammed doing to provide for his family?
Ans. I am a class teacher as well as a head of Administration with Sunna private primary and secondary school Dogon Karfe, here in Jos south Local government.
TQM. You are blessed with six children, are they schooling?
Ans. yes, four of them are in school, while the other two are yet to attain school age.
TQM. Who is paying for the children’s education?
Ans. I am the one that is doing that.
TQM. Are your wives having any form of disability like you?
Ans. No, they are not persons with disabilities.
TQM. Being a person with disability, have you face any form of discrimination in the family or society?
Ans. My family members do not discriminate against me, even in the society the discrimination is not much. God have been giving me His favors, to that effect people don’t discriminate against me, rather people a friendly towards me. I thank God for that.
TQM. But in those few occasion where your rights are abused what do you do?
Ans. I do nothing, I remain calm and live everything to God.
TQM. Are you aware of government establishment that are empowered to help protect the rights of persons with disabilities, where such rights have been abused?
Ans. yes I am aware of them and their functions.
TQM. Apart from your work with Sunna Private School, do you have any form of business doing?
Ans. I am into rearing sheep, goats and the keeping of local chickens. I am also into politics, that is why, I have been appointed to service as Special Assistance on disable matters to the Governor of plateau State.
TQM. What should the community of people with disabilities on the Plateau expect to from the government of the day, now that you, a person with disability is near the government?
Ans. This government of Bar. Simon Lalong, the Chairman Northern Governors forum, have been a friendly Governor of person with Disabilities and have been responding positively to our cry and needs, as such our community of persons with disabilities would continue to have the very best from this responsive governor by the grace of God. Let me use this opportunity to call on our people to continue giving this government our maximum support for the betterment of the lives and placement of people with disability on the plateau.
TQM. Thank you sir, for granting us this interview.
Ans. You are welcome.
