TQM report,
Mr. Agbo Christian Obiora, the Executive Director, The Qualitative Magazine(TQM), the foremost disability advocacy magazine in Nigeria was honoured on Thursday 18th November, 2021 with Excellence in Leadership Award from University of Nigeria Alumni Association Abuja Branch for his contribution towards the development of the Alumni Association and disability community.
The Branch President, Comrade Uche Obasi while presenting the award to Mr. Chris said that it is a deserving award to him because of his leadership role in the face of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and he has done it selflessly and with passion. He described the award to Mr. Chris as UNAA Abuja own way of encouraging service to humanity.
“Encouraging someone who have chosen to service humanity is urging him to do more and we are contributing to the success stories by honouring the person”.
Speaking further, Comrade Uche described Mr. Chris as an outstanding leader, who have shown his leadership qualities in the way he has been standing for the rights of persons with disabilities and putting persons with disabilities in Nigeria in the world map with his magazine and again attracting a lot of external intervention to persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
The Qualitative Magazine boss while receiving the award, said that he is highly elated with the award and it is emotional to him because a lot of individuals from the Alumni has been part of his success stories and for the same Alumni Association coming again to honour him in a specially way.
He gave God grace for making his dream come true for an idea that ignited from his experiences as a person with disability in University of Nigeria Nsukka Campus. He had some ugly experiences from the stereotypes and discriminatory practices against persons with disabilities and structural barriers which made him to contemplate quitting his education at some point but he was determined and saw off his degree in Social Work and Community Development.
He used the opportunity to call on the University of Nigeria Alumni Association National Executive Council whose National president, Mr. Ben Okoronkwo was present at the event to adopt compliance to Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 by the University as one of the major agenda.
He reminded that the 5 years transitory period of the accessibility aspect of the Act is fast elapsing and institutions should hurry and remodel their building now to avoid litigation.
He drew up a reason that what is good for others is also good for persons with disabilities, so apart from the law, people should learn to make provisions for persons with disabilities to access the public space like persons without disabilities.
Meanwhile, he appreciated 8th Assembly and President Buhari for ensuring that there is a law protecting persons with disabilities, advised the dignitaries to search and become abreast with the provisions of the law.
He promised to provide technical support for the National President of UNAA if they wish to adopt compliance to Disability Act by the University.
UNAA Abuja organized 61st University of Nigeria Founders Day Public Lecture & 2021 End Of Year Dinner with theme: “Security And Counter Security Issues In Nigeria: The Role of Universities and Their Alumni Association”.
The event had in attendance some top alumnus of the great University like Osita Chidoka, Ben Okoronkwo and many other, Security agencies, many other guests and alumni members.
The management of TQM were grateful to UNAA Abuja for the honour bestowed on their Executive Director and they also congratulated other awardees.
