Haruna Tata was born into the family of Tata wanzam and Ramatu in Buduwa ward, Jakusko LGA of Yobe State. He attended his primary school in his home town, he finished from Government Secondary School Jakusko in 2014 and went on to obtain a Diploma certificate in Computer Science from University of Maiduguri where he got a distinction. He has gotten admission through Direct Entry in ATBU Bauchi to further his education but unfortunately, no financial support for him to further. He has made several efforts including reaching out to his local government chairman but it seems they think that he should resort to street begging because no one has indicated interest to help. On second option, he has applied for employment to use the proceeds to further his education. He wishes to be self-reliance and not engaging in street begging; therefore, he is appealing on the members of public to come to his aid to help him acquire education that is only his life wish.
That’s why we are interviewing him to bring his predicament to public domain with the hope that he will be helped.
Can you recall how your disability occurred?
It was a result of polio. It happened when I was two years old, I had fever and I was taken to the hospital by my mother, I was given injection and the rest is what you are seeing now.
How did the disability affect you?
Growing up seeing myself this way as a child. I was depressed because I found myself different from my peers. I was always hiding myself indoors because each time I come, my peers would be mimicking the way I crawl. I was crawling to school every day. In my primary four, my headmaster got me a wheelchair and that encouraged me to continue my education.
When the disability happened what were the efforts made by your parents to get you back on your feet?
I was from a humble home and from what I was told, my parents could not afford to take me to hospital. They applied other means to see me walk again. At a time, it was obvious I can’t walk again. They have to encourage me to carry on with my life in the condition that I found myself.
Do you face any forms of stigmatization and discrimination?
Many people don’t believe in my capacity. They always look down on me but there are others who encourage me to push through life. There are some people on approaching them with my tricycle, they will think I have come to beg. I do hard work to take care of my bills and my schooling till my Diploma but now that I am going to the University, I can’t afford it and I need help. I think it is wrong to ask because that’s the only way I can realize my dream of being a graduate.
How did you fund your education?
My family is poor nevertheless they are doing their best to keep me in school from primary to diploma and I am also doing whatever I can to augment their effort but now they don’t have that much to sponsor my education up to University level. That’s why I am soliciting for the help of government and well-meaning Nigerians.
What are the challenges you are facing presently in carrying out your daily activities?
Inaccessibility and discrimination are the major challenges facing me on daily basis. I cannot have access to public buildings like bank, market, and transportation system. Due to lack of lifts and ramps in most of our public buildings such as shopping malls, offices, community halls, churches and mosques, as a person with physical disability I am facing a lot of challenges. Most times I will not be able to see people I want to see because I can’t access their offices.
Transportation is very important to everyone and it poses a lot of challenge to persons with physical disabilities when there is absence of accessible facilities at the bus terminals, airports and railway stations.
What is the attitude of your family to you as a person with disability?
Members of my family has been very active in my life. Whatever I need, once they can afford it, they will give it to me. I feel so loved by my family members.
Are you getting undue favour/treatment because of your disability?
Some people have helped me because of disability. Some people are so impressed when they notice that I am schooling.
What is that you think disability took away from you?
Sometimes, I lack confidence especially in the public.
Are you in any relationship?
No and I am still single
Recently Disability Rights Bill was signed into law by Mr President. What is your take when it comes to its implementation?
May I use this opportunity to appreciate Mr President for honouring over 27million Nigerians with disabilities. Now we have a law and our rights are protected. I hope our leaders will do the needful to ensure the quick implementation.
Despite your disability you have been able to enroll and have remained in school, how are you doing it?
It is my zeal and determination. I am not afraid of difficult situation. I am taking them as they come.
What is motivating you to continue to push to be successful in life?
I want to be successful so that I can help other people with disabilities. If I become well educated, I will set up an organization that will be helping other people with disabilities, ensuring that they acquire formal education and realize their abilities.
What is your advice to other people with disabilities?
My advice to my people is that if you have not acquired education, please try to do so. Try to discover your potential and maximize it in order to help you become self-reliance. You should be self-dependent, that is not to say that you should not ask for help from others but do not entirely depend on others for your daily survival. Always be positive, your disability should be ability to live a normal life.
What are the lessons you have learnt from living with disability?
I have learnt a lot living with disability. I have come to know that people discriminated more than helping you to achieve your goals.
What is your life aspiration?
I leave it to the hands of God, only God knows my future but I am hard work and believe with his help, it will be bright.
Parting Words?
My special appreciation goes to the publisher of The Qualitative Magazine for giving me this opportunity to express myself, reaching out to the whole world. I wish The Qualitative Magazine the best in their effort in promoting the people with disabilities.
If you wish to help Haruna Tata to realise his dreams of being a graduate. Please call us on 08035479337 to link you with him. We are expecting your calls. Thank You.
