NCPWD Constructs Ramps, Other Accessible Facilities At ABU Zaria

National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has constructed accessible facilities at the faculty of education, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.

It was reported that the commission have constructed dual toilets for male and female students with accessible ramps and other items convenient for persons with disabilities in the institution under 2021 intervention project.

Other structures where there is ramp are the lecture theatres, laboratories, at the faculty and departmental offices.

Speaking to The Qualitative Magazine (TQM), the head of department, faculty of education, Prof Mari, described the projects as a welcome development that would surely enhance the wellbeing of students with disabilities in the University.

Professor Mari directed the Dean, faculty of education professor Bayero to guide our correspondent to see the facilities, ramps and other structures at the faculty and the new site where a super-model facility is ongoing at new site, phase 11 of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

In his response at the new site where construction is at the concluding stage, Professor Bayero said it was glaring that students with disabilities are faced with challenges compared to students without disabilities especially on access to facilities, noting that the present friendly structures would ease their movement and a pride to ABU Zaria to be chosen for the projects amongst other universities in Nigeria.

“He said the structure spotlighted their importance and expressed hope that the university management would continue to ensure that in the future of any physical structure to be build should be incompliance with the people leaving with disability needs”.

“The project will in no small measure if concluded, enhance the learning of students with disabilities, as before the commission’s interventions there was no such friendly facilities like toilets, there are staircases everywhere and they find it difficult to access to lectures halls and the activities in the faculty.”

“If the project is completed, surely it will encourage persons with disabilities to seek admission into the institution and the vision of the commission should also be sustained to the project which will surely ease students’ sufferings and build competiveness and academic excellence.”

“I suggested that all structures should be disability friendly to accord persons with disabilities ease access and other suitable needs to break barriers”.

In her response as part of the management staff in the faculty of education, ABU Zaria, Mrs. Jo. Kwaga called on the commission to do more in other places in the institution and to expand to other educational institutions at all levels in the country. “

Mrs. Jo. Kwaga added that the presence of disability friendly facilities would encourage more persons with disabilities to further their studies through seeking admission as they are assured of inclusive structures and services.”

She further advised the commission to consider more interventions in other areas in the university as well as consider other educational areas such as secondary and primary schools.

The Ag. Director physical planning Arc. Suleiman of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, said the project was delayed or stopped   because they discovered substandard materials were used by the contractor on the projects, so they had to cautioned him before they allowed him and his team to go back to site to continue the project”.

The Ag. Director also said the project would reduce discrimination and encourage students with disabilities to study better.

Previously students with disabilities faced with enormous challenges as many are from less privileged families that could not sponsor for their education.

He urged the commission to provide same facilities in the institutions and appeal to government and institutions themselves to provide disability friendly facilities to encourage more enrolment of persons with disabilities.

Our correspondent at ABU Zaria, were not privileged to interview students with disabilities because of the ASUU strike.

“But in my opinion, access to lectures theatres, halls and classes were difficult for students with disabilities and now the projects would surely ease their lives in the university.”

“I will crave the indulgence of the teeming persons with disabilities who have interest in education to apply for admission in ABU as facilities in the faculty are disability friendly.”

“I am optimistic that the efforts and vision of the commission would boost participation of Nigerian with disabilities in education.”

“Now, persons with disabilities in our society will feel okay from this giant strides amongst their counterparts without disabilities to enter classes, halls, now with presence of disability friendly facilities students to use the ramps directly.”

In his response, the Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with disabilities (JONAPWD)in kaduna state Comr. Abdulazeez Suleiman expressed his delight to the vision of the commission in remembering his members in ABU Zaria with such facilities would encourage more students to further their studies because they are now heard and understand how simple they find things in the campus.”

Comr. Suleiman  further said, persons with disabilities in kaduna state salute the commission vision  for the foresight of the projects in ABU Zaria  and other institutions in Nigeria, he assured the commission of  his commitment to  inform his members this new development and to create more awareness and also encouragement to parents  of persons with disabilities to enroll their children to the university, he also made a clarion called to  the media to use all  their medium/platforms and programmes to tell the compelling narrative of the commission.