Mahammadu Atang is a person with physical disability from Gada shere, in Jos East Local government of Plateau state. He became a person with disability at the age five (5) years as result of sickness. It started with sharp pain at his hip which made him sick that lasted for for years. There was even a time that he went into coma that people thought he was dead. In fact a grave was already dug for him, it was when they come to take his body for burial that they discovered he was breathing.
The sickness left him with one leg paralyzed. He has already lost his father before these incidents.
Miraculously, today, he has lived beyond his disability, he is married with eleven children.
In this interview conducted by Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle, he spoke about his exploits as a bricklayer with disability.
TQM. With such a big family, what are you doing for a living?
I am a bricklayer. When l was a child, l was brought up in farming, but because of my Disability, l found farming a difficult activity to do, so when l become an adult, l moved from my village to Jos town,where l meet a man, Mr. Ma’azu, who was a farmer and a house builder, despite my Disability, he embraced me and taught me the art of bricklaying. And l have been building houses all my life.
TQM. You are a person with physical disability, don’t people fear or discriminate against you building their houses?
I thank God for His grace, contrary to what you said , people were even showing interest in me, the one leg man, to build their houses.
TQM. We are now in your community, can you point or mentioned some of the houses or structures you built or help to build?
Yes, l play a part in building the Jos East local government secretariat structure, the Angware General Hospital structure, there is an eight man quarters here in Angware , among others, apart from other numerous private houses.
I served as a bricklayer in building schools in Bokkos and Wase local governments of Plateau state.
It was in Bokkos while doing this work, that l was trained to be a motorcycle mechanic by one Mr. Sule so l am a bricklayer as well a motorcycle mechanic.
l have trained numerous people who are making a living out of these two line of work. In fact one of my son is a leading motorcycle mechanic here in Gada, l trained him.
TQM. Were you able to go to school when you were a child?
No, because l was a child with disability and an orphan, so l was not privileged to go to school. But, l was able to take myself to school at, what l consider to be, an old age. I was about forty- four (44) years, when l started literacy class, l completed and wrote common entrance examination, where l came third in that examination. After that, l
went to Government secondary school Federe in Jos East. l completed my secondary education in the year 1996 at the age of about fifty- five (55) years. Today l am about seventy eight (78) years old.
TQM. What drive you to start school at that age?
I wanted to be able to read building plans, and l have achieved that.
TQM. Why did you stopped schooling after secondary school?
Like l said, l have achieved my goal, and there was a huge growing family responsibility on me.
TQM. What about your children’s education?
With the help of God, l have given them the opportunity to school, at least to a certain level.
TQM. Are you still active in bricklaying at the age of about 79 years?
I am not very active, because of age, but l still do a little of it.
TQM. In all these , have you ever received any assistance from the government or other individuals?
No, l did not have that privilege.
TQM. What about discrimination against you as a person with disability?
There is no life in general without one form of discrimination or the other. One of the secret to good life, is to disregard any form of negativity from all angles.
TQM. What would be your personal appeal to the government and other people?
I am appealing to be help with the payment of some of my children’s school fees. One of my child is schooling at Federal School of Forestry Jos, anther one just finished his secondary school, but and l can’t afford to send him further. The last one of is still in secondary school. I would really appreciate, assistance in the payment of their school fees.
And my charge to my young person with disability, is this, what ever you find your self doing, be committed and be faithful. Then you will see the blessing of God.
TQM. Thank you Baba for your time.
Thank you.
