Kogi Central People with Disabilities Association(KCPWDA), Our Journey So far

December 10, 2020

259

By Comrade Abdulazeez Asadullah Ahmed [a Mass Communicator and a Student of Special Education] on the 3/12/2020

It is indeed a moment of joy for us, the members of the Disability community as we celebrate this year’s International day of persons with disabilities. The essence of this day cannot be over emphasise as it, according to the United Nations, aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

Let me, as a way of taking our mind back to history, inform you, ladies and gentlemen, that the international struggle to alleviate the plight of persons with disabilities did not just start today. It began in 1976 when the United Nations in their general assembly resolved that 1981 should be marked as the International year of persons with disabilities.

This was subsequently followed by the United Nations International Decade of Persons with Disabilities which was marked between 1983 and 1992 to allow government and other organizations enough time to implement measures aimed at alleviating the plight of persons with disabilities. On October 14, 1992, as this decade drew to a close, the UN General Assembly proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Persons with disabilities. This day was first observed on December 3, 1992. At our level here however, today makes the third time we are commemorating this day. But the second we are having it marked ceremoniously as we had our first edition in 2018.

The theme for this year’s celebration which is “Building back better; toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world” was necessitated by the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic which has affected virtually all sectors of the human society, from the underdeveloped to the more advanced, leaving no country behind. These past few months have been, unarguably, one of the most difficult moments of human history with many lives lost, mode of living distorted and increased poverty level all over the world among others. This period has also exposed the weaknesses of most governmental institutions all-over the world, particularly in the developing countries like Nigeria and in all of this, you all will agree with me that the vulnerable members of the society, the category of which persons with disabilities are included are the worst hit.

It is sad to state however that even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the condition of persons with disabilities in Nigeria and especially here in Kogi-Central has not been any much better, particularly in the areas of inclusion and accessibility. This sad reality faced by persons with disabilities within our district is what led us into coming together to form the Kogi Central Persons with Disabilities Association (KCPWDA) in late 2017.

This association which comprises of members from all clusters of disability, cut across the entire five local governments of the Kogi-Central senatorial district and the core objective which has been serving as our guiding principle is to create awareness towards ensuring a society that is inclusive and accessible to all and devoid of discrimination, stigmatization as well as every form of stereotyping.

Although, since the formation of this association, we cannot claim to have recorded much success owing to the fact that there were no foundations to build upon, but, we can stillbeat our chest proudly, having recorded some achievements despite the many odds that have been against us. As part of our efforts to enlighten the community about issues relating to disabilities, the association immediately began by seeking for means through which we can communicate and pass information to the people and we soon found luck with the three radio stations domiciled in our locality. Through the free air time given to us by these stations, we have been able to reach out to our people with different programs and the result so far has been impressive. Also, through our effort as one united body, we have been able to reach out to and attract the interest of well-meaning individuals and organizations, the result of which was evident in the reception of two tricycles which was gifted to us by Alhaji AtabaMuhammadSaniOmonori, the donation of food items by the same royal blood during the last Ramadan, the recent distribution of mobility aids and some basic household materials to some members of the association by Hayat foundation, just as we are expectant of such good gestures from Ozomata foundation, to mention but few. Equally worthy of mention, is the effort of the Kogi-central Persons with Disability Association (KCPDA) in collaboration with the Kogi State Persons with Disability Association (KSPDA) and with the support of Access Nigeria, an NGO under the Inclusive Friends Association towards ensuring an inclusive electoral system.

This joint effort saw to it that persons with disabilities in Kogi Central did not just participate in the voting process alone but also that some of them served as electoral observers for the very first time in our history, giving them a sense of belonging. Furthermore, as a means of empowering our members economically, this association in collaboration with AMOA Fish Venture, started with the training of 25 of our members across the five local government areas on fish farming. The beneficiaries of this training will be issued their certificate of participation before the end of this program and we are hoping that they find help with capital to start up their business.

Despite these achievements and some others which time may not permit me to mention, this association is however, sadly faced with a myriad of challenges. Notable among these challenges include our inability to reach out to all the individuals with disabilities within our district and get them into our fold. Even though, like I mentioned earlier, series of awareness programs have been ongoing for some time now, many of them still seem to be in the dark and some of them who may be in the know are still feeling too reluctant or even scared of facing the world with their disability as a result of the prevalence of societal discrimination and stigmatization. Those who fall into these categories are mostly the aged ones, some of whom usually result to street begging as a means of survival and some younger ones of school age, some of whom are usually held back by their family members out of fear and ignorance. Also, we recently got a report that some persons with disabilities are involved in the sales and use of hard drugs, using their disability as a means of cover against law enforcement agents. As a result of this, some members of the society erroneously consider all persons with disabilities as the same and this tend to further aggravate the already existing discrimination and wrongful judgment of persons with disabilities.

The problem of inclusiveness and accessibility is one age long battle which we were hoping that the signing of the discrimination against persons with disability prohibition act by both the federal and Kogi state governments will help put to rest but it seems we still have a long way to go as we are still practically begging to be carried along both politically and economically even though the part five; section 28 and 29 of the earlier stated act has clearly made provisions for us in that regard. Let me equally mention the issues of security threats facing some of our members, particularly those with kyphosis which is also known as hunch back as seen in the case involving one of our members, Mal. Zubair who was adopted on the 23rd of November at the front of his house in Ihima community and till now, nothing has been heard or seen of him.
It is our believe that God, the almighty, who created man, in his wisdom, made some disabled and others more able so that they may be the support system of those with disabilities.

Indeed, every human society has gotten their own fair share of people with disabilities and kogi Central senatorial district is, of course, not an exception. Sadly, however, those who are ordinarily meant to be the support system of these persons with disabilities either seem oblivious to their responsibilities or deliberately choose to neglect them or might just be making some little efforts which are not really been felt by persons with disabilities.

Over the years, persons with disability here in Ebira land except, of course, for some very few privileged ones among them, have been subjected to the worst conditions that one can ever think of. The education of children living with disabilities has not been given due consideration just as those who are interested in acquiring skills have no one to support them in acquiring those skills. Even those who managed to acquire education among these persons with disabilities are not being employed just as those with skills as well as businesses suffer low patronage. Coupled with the general harsh economic realities facing our societies, some of these persons with disabilities still have to cope with outrageous medical bills periodically as their conditions require continuous management to prevent it from deteriorating. Did I forget to mention the discrimination, stigmatization, stereotyping as well as rejection that most of us are being made to face in the society day in day out?

The lack of adequate political representation over the years has also further worsen our plights as the leadership of persons with disabilities in all the successive administrations since 2003 has been headed by the Easterners who usually Direct most of the available opportunities to the disabled members from their region. The government at the grassroots is also not helping matters and all our efforts to make our grievances known overtime have not been fruitful.

It is important to know that disability is never a crime and as such, persons with disabilities shouldn’t be left to wallow in misery. As a matter of fact, some of these persons with disabilities are only a victim of the wrongful actions or inactions of others. It is equally important to know that most, if not all of these persons with disabilities have their own unique abilities and lots of potentials which are only waiting to be tapped into. Among us are intellectuals, great minds and creative thinkers who have all it takes to proffer solutions to some of the main problem facing our societies if only they are given the right grooming and environment to thrive.

It is on this note that we appeal to every conscientious mind that is present here today to help us in reaching out to well-meaning individuals as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations to help in alleviating our plights by considering and attending to what I termed as our ten point requests which are as follows:

Investing in the education of persons with disabilities in Ebiraland by establishing special schools or modifying some of the existing schools in Ebiraland to accommodate persons with disabilities.
Establishing skill acquisition centers at strategic locations here in Ebiraland as well as supporting those with skills already to grow.
Providing equal employment opportunities for all the educated persons with disabilities as with their non-disabled counterparts.
Considering persons with disabilities in all the empowerment programs usually implemented or carried out by our political leaders as well as other well meaning individuals and organisations. This can be done by allocating certain percentage to members of the kogi central persons with disabilities association for onward distribution to their members.
Considering persons with disabilities for political appointments at state, senatorial, federal/state constituency as well as local government levels.
Establishing a rehabilitation centre to cater for those who became disabled at an advanced stage of their lives.
Establishing welfare centers for aged men and women with disabilities.
providing scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities as well as children of persons with disabilities.
Providing a health insurance scheme to cover for the medication of persons with disabilities whose condition requires a continuous medical management to prevent deterioration.
Creating platforms where are political as well as leaders of thought sit and discuss with members of the disabled community on a periodic basis in order to feel their pulse and ascertain their areas of needs.

Our distinguish guests, members of the disabled community, let me at this point, express our profound gratitude to our mother, barista Amina Oyiza Bello, the first lady of our dear state for being a role model in ensuring a better life for persons with disabilities in Kogi state and in Ebira land particularly. Her efforts towards ensuring the passage and subsequent signing of the Kogi state discrimination against persons with disability prohibition act as well as the series of empowerment programs embarked upon by her Hayat Foundation of which some of us benefited greatly is highly appreciated and we pray that the almighty will continue to keep her safe and sound and as well continue to give her the spirit and will power to keep up with her good work.

I cannot forget to say a very big thank you to our royal prince, the ciroma of ebira land, Alhaji Ataba MuhammadSani Omonori who have recognized us the way no one else has. We pray that the almighty will continue to bless and enrich him with his heart desires. Let me equally say a very big thank you to Engr Edward Jatto, the CEO of Jatto FM and one of our patrons. This highly respected man did not only provide us with the radio platform for our enlightenment programs but he has also been highly supportive, always there to listen, always ready to spend and always ready to act, all to ensure that we achieve success in all that we do.

I will equally like to appreciate our mothers, in persons of Pastor, Dr Halimat Saliu [the big mama] who happens to be the very first person to give us a voice in Ebiraland, Hajiya Hafsat AbdulSalam who has equally been highly supportive, Alhaji M.I Japa, our father as well as adai Aduvusu and of course the management of Tao Fm as well as that of radio kogi, Otite for their support.

I cannot equally forget to extend my appreciation to Alhaji Haruna Salihu, Hon. Tijani Damusa, Hon. Joseph Asuku, among others for all they have been doing both openly and secretly towards alleviating the plight of persons with disabilities.

To those who I couldn’t mention and indeed to all of you present here today, our friends, our family members, our religious, traditional and community leaders as well as all the professional bodies represented here, we value and appreciate you all.

It is time we say no to stigmatization, discrimination and stereotyping. It is time we say no to Street begging and help in turning persons with disabilities from being a liability to becoming an asset. It is time you look beyond our disabilities and support us in bringing out the many evident abilities lying beneath our disability.

That we are disabled doesn’t make us less human, Les ebiras, Les kogite or less Nigerian. Be one of those who will help in positively changing the narratives of persons with disabilities here in Ebiraland. Support us to grow and let’s together build a world where the love for God and humanity rules.

Thank you all for coming to help make today memorable as I pray that disability will never come your way and the ways of your loved ones. God bless you as we look forward to that world of utopia that we all envisage.
ThanksKogi Central People With Disabilities Association (KCPWDA), OUR JOURNEY SO FAR.
By Comrade Abdulazeez Asadullah Ahmed [a Mass Communicator and a Student of Special Education] on the 3/12/2020

It is indeed a moment of joy for us, the members of the disabled community as we celebrate this year’s International day of persons with disabilities. The essence of this day cannot be over emphasise as it, according to the United Nations, aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

Let me, as a way of taking our mind back to history, inform you, ladies and gentlemen, that the international struggle to alleviate the plight of persons with disabilities did not just start today. It began in 1976 when the United Nations in their general assembly resolved that 1981 should be marked as the International year of persons with disabilities.

This was subsequently followed by the United Nations International Decade of Persons with Disabilities which was marked between 1983 and 1992 to allow government and other organizations enough time to implement measures aimed at alleviating the plight of persons with disabilities. On October 14, 1992, as this decade drew to a close, the UN General Assembly proclaimed December 3 as the International Day of Disabled Persons. This day was first observed on December 3, 1992. At our level here however, today makes the third time we are commemorating this day. But the second we are having it marked ceremoniously as we had our first edition in 2018.

The theme for this year’s celebration which is “Building back better; toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world” was necessitated by the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic which has affected virtually all sectors of the human society, from the underdeveloped to the more advanced, leaving no country behind. These past few months have been, unarguably, one of the most difficult moments of human history with many lives lost, mode of living distorted and increased poverty level all over the world among others. This period has also exposed the weaknesses of most governmental institutions all-over the world, particularly in the developing countries like Nigeria and in all of this, you all will agree with me that the vulnerable members of the society, the category of which persons with disabilities are included are the worst hit.

It is sad to state however that even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the condition of persons with disabilities in Nigeria and especially here in Kogi-Central has not been any much better, particularly in the areas of inclusion and accessibility. This sad reality faced by persons with disabilities within our district is what led us into coming together to form the Kogi Central Persons with Disabilities Association (KCPDA) in late 2017.

This association which comprises of members from all clusters of disability, cut across the entire five local governments of the Kogi-Central senatorial district and the core objective which has been serving as our guiding principle is to create awareness towards ensuring a society that is inclusive and accessible to all and devoid of discrimination, stigmatization as well as every form of stereotyping.
Although, since the formation of this association, we cannot claim to have recorded much success owing to the fact that there were no foundations to build upon, but, we can stillbeat our chest proudly, having recorded some achievements despite the many odds that have been against us. As part of our efforts to enlighten the community about issues relating to disabilities, the association immediately began by seeking for means through which we can communicate and pass information to the people and we soon found luck with the three radio stations domiciled in our locality. Through the free air time given to us by these stations, we have been able to reach out to our people with different programs and the result so far has been impressive. Also, through our effort as one united body, we have been able to reach out to and attract the interest of well-meaning individuals and organizations, the result of which was evident in the reception of two tricycles which was gifted to us by Alhaji AtabaMuhammadSaniOmonori, the donation of food items by the same royal blood during the last Ramadan, the recent distribution of mobility aids and some basic household materials to some members of the association by Hayat foundation, just as we are expectant of such good gestures from Ozomata foundation, to mention but few. Equally worthy of mention, is the effort of the Kogi-central Persons with Disability Association (KCPDA) in collaboration with the Kogi State Persons with Disability Association (KSPDA) and with the support of Access Nigeria, an NGO under the Inclusive Friends Association towards ensuring an inclusive electoral system.