Suwaiba Inusa Yakubu is a blind woman who is married and she have had a son. She hails from Wase local government of Plateau State. She became blind about eleven years ago which came after an illness that started with a headache.
In this chat with our correspondents, Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle, she spoke about her means of livelihood and her family.
TQM. Were you opportune to go to school as a child?
I went to Islamic school, I also was privileged to attend Government Vocational Training Center for the Blind Zawan.
TQM. What work are you doing for for a living?
I produced and sell items like Izal, Dettol, petroleum jelly, soaps, I also weave chairs and carpets.
TQM. How would you rate the patronage of these your products?
The patronage is very low.
TQM. What do you think is the reason for this low patronage?
There are so many variety of soaps in the market, competing with them is not easy, because, of high cost of materials used in production, this high cost forced me to produced in small quantity, which still reflect in high price of my finished products then that of my competitors.
TQM. Have you received any grant or loan, say, from the government to aid your production?
No.
TQM. You said, you have a son, what is he doing?
He is schooling, he is still in secondary school.
TQM. Who is paying for his schooling?
The three of us, me, his father and himself, we all make contribution to pay for his education.
TQM. Is your husband a person with disability?
Yes, he is also a visual impaired person.
TQM. You are a woman and a person with disability, have people been discriminating against you?
Some people do discriminate against me, they usually relegate me to the background, knowing that l would not be able to do what l used to do, when I was having my sight.
TQM. How do you respond to it?
I respond through outputs of my efforts and whatever l do, l make sure l do it well, which usually prove them wrong about me.
TQM. Governments have set up Institutions to stop discrimination against people with disabilities, are you aware of these Institutions?
No.
TQM. What do you have as a personal request for assistance from the government and other persons in general?
The government should help me with money to increase my business, so that I can produce more and be able to sell in cheaper price.
And my son is desiring to be in school, he should be helped with the means to continue his education.
TQM. Thank you for time.
