TQM report,

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Monday in his unique gesture spent the day which was for the commemoration of the International Women’s Day, 2021 with persons with disabilities, during which he gave them moral and material supports.

The persons who have different challenges including those who could not see, walk and hear among others stormed the ancient Ile Oodua Palace of Ile-Ife to attend the event tagged ‘Ability in Disability’ which the Ooni executed THROUGH a Toronto Canada based NGO, Hope4Sure Foundation.

During the day-long event, several activities including talent displays during which the persons showcased their potentials which included singing, dancing, choreography, graphics designs, paintings and many more to the admiration of the hosting Ooni and the happy crowd.

Addressing the audience, Ooni Ogunwusi who is Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) thanked the women particularly mothers of children with disabilities for the works towards the proper upbringing and upkeep of their children.

“These children are special, not disabled in any form they are special persons who should be accorded with necessary care and not sympathy.

“I wish to tell our mothers and women globally who have these children to keep considering them as God’s gift and God’s gifts will continue to multiply in their lives.” The Ooni said.

Similarly, the convener of Hope4Sure Foundation, Peju Oke, explained that the potentials of persons with disabilities is the motivation behind the dedication of the programme to them.

“This is not the first time Hope4Sure Foundation will be holding a humanitarian event in collaboration with the Ooni of Ife, we have paid hospital bills and school fees of of the poor and other vulnerable persons in our society but we chose to do this for our children who have disabilities to show them love.

“I sincerely thank our father the Ooni for making this a reality and all those who supported us. We won’t stop with this, we shall continue in humanitarian activities like this towards making life better for all.” Peju Oke stated.

Earlier in the day, about one hundred women were trained freely in tie and dye better known as Adire fabrics aimed by the Ooni to give them financial independence.

Speaking on behalf of the group during the start of the training program held at the Adire African Textile Hub, located inside the Ife Grand Resorts, Ile-Ife, CEO of the textile hub, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, explained that the one-day training was structured by the Ooni to expose women and young girls to opportunities in the textile industry commemorating the International Women’s Day.

“We designed this to inform and train them because the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Olofin Adimula believes that information is power. They are going to learn basics that with which they can start up something to support their families while they can also apply to learn further after today to know more.” Princess Ronke said.

It will be recalled that Ooni Ogunwusi, who is the natural leader of the entire Oodua Race worldwide had during the last Aje festival launched the Adire textile production hub; a cultural centre built on a 30,000 square meters of land with a vision to empower the youths through the revival of local fabrics.

Some Philadelphic Nigerians were given awards of excellence while prizes were won by outstanding talented women in disability who participated in the he event at the Ile Oodua Palace of The Ooni of Ife on Monday.

TQM report,

The Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Disability Matters, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie has urged persons  with disabilities in Anambra state to ensure that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 virus.

Barrister Ezewuzie who spoke to the ABS in Awka appealed to their members to take advantage of the availability of the vaccine in the state to get vaccinated.

Barrister Ezewuzie noted that the fight against the pandemic must be a holistic one that needs the support of every reasonable individual and maintained that persons living with disabilities are the most hit anytime there is an outbreak of any virus.

He therefore appealed to their members to get registered and be vaccinated, as well as adhere strictly to all COVID-19 Preventive Protocols at all times.

The Special Adviser commended the Willie Obiano administration for all its efforts in ensuring that Anambra state gets rid of the virus.

TQM report,

THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, PLEADS TO ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE ABIA STATE DISABILITY ACT.

Some pictures of the event

The Caring Family Enhancement Initiative, CAFE, a charity organization founded by wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Dr (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano, has, on Monday, March 8, 2021, resumed training for over three hundred persons on different skills.

The free training, going on at Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and is powered by Fidelity Bank Plc, began last year, 2020, but was temporarily halted due to wrecks of COVID-19.

The over three hundred persons, mainly youths, widows, the persons with Disability and less privileged, would, at after completing the mandatory three weeks training, be given start up capital and equipment, all for free.

The skill areas being taken by the trainees include tailoring and fashion design, confectionery, computer and phone repair, hairdressing, make-over and others.

The aim of the training and empowerment, according the governor’s wife, is to empower women (mainly widows) and youths, who are finding foot in life but are eager to be financially independent.

Note, that CAFE has trained and empowered more than four thousand persons since it became a registered non-governmental body in August, 2014.

In marking this year 2021 International Women’s Day, The Perfect Peculiar Foundation, (PPF) an NGO located at Low cost Housing Estate Rantya Jos, Plateau state organized an interactive session for women with disabilities.

Patricia Pam, the executive Director of perfect Peculiar Foundation who is a wheelchair user in her speech said that the foundation is for persons with disability with a vision of a society that would see people with disability as human being first, having dignity and rights to full inclusion into every sphere of societal life. Advocacy backed by action in collaboration with other disability groups, with the view of promoting and protecting the very rights of persons with disability.

Pam stated that it is in line to this that the Foundation is celebrating this International Women day with women with disability.

“With the theme: CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE, we have chosen to challenge stereotype and discrimination that has limit our full participation in the society. We are therefore raising our voices together to ensure that women with disabilities are included in all aspect of our societal life, be it Politically, socially and economically.  To us inclusion is key” she explained. 

Speaking at the occasion on the topic, Smashing Stereotype and discrimination against Women with disability.  The resource person, Jiritmwa M. Goyit said that women need to celebrate themselves every day for the love, care and accommodation they offer each day to humanity, whether they are women with disabilities or not.

But these same women who are blessed with natural goodness towards humanity, are being placed at a disadvantage position by the society. And until women deliberately choose to challenge these negative and false stereotypes and discrimination against women in general and women with disabilities in particular, women would continue to be subjected to hardship.

 To correct these, Goyit gives some steps, among others that is needed to be taken by women themselves.

1. Self-realization: a woman need to know who she is and her role in the society and to stand for it regardless of the way some people address her.
2. Seek information: Education is good but information is better, it is when a women know, that she can defend herself.
3. Seek for support.
4. Reach out to others: both persons and organizations like Perfect Peculiar Foundation.
5. Empower yourselves with the provisions of the constitution.
6. Create awareness. Etc.

Some of the participants spoke with TQM, The chairperson of FIDA, Plateau state Chapter, Mrs. Mary Izam said that women are delighted to mark International women day because it is a day that gives recognition to women in all sphere of life. It is a day where women cry out for equality and gender opportunity in both public and private spaces. “It gives us opportunity to also create awareness to women who are not really aware of their rights especially women with disability, this day offers avenue to air their voices on challenges in area of accessibility like, education, employment, health care, and transportation among others. We together have a channel to join our voices to meet the need of women hood, especially that of women with disability by promoting, protecting and preserving their rights, which is part of FIDAs mandate”. 

“We are therefore appealing to the government and the society to include women with disabilities in all aspects of activities to make impact in their lives and also to harness their potentials.

Esther Sunday, a lady with disability told TQM that this year’s celebration is special because women with disabilities have been carried along unlike in the past, where they are passive participants, despite their numerous challenges in education and employment. She hopes this will bring a positive turn around in lives of women with disabilities.

Ruth Joseph, a blind lady expressed her happiness to Perfect Peculiar Foundation (PPF) for organizing the International Woman day, a foundation headed by one of them, in person of Patricia pam.

The occasion witnessed the presences of

. Hon. Esther Simi Dusu.

Member plateau State House of Assembly, Representing Jos North- West.

. Mrs. Mary Izam.

The chairperson of FIDA. Plateau State Chapter.

. Bridget Dakyes.

Executive Director, Women and girl child Rescue Development.

. Women with disabilities, representing the different clusters. To mention but a few.

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, Project Enable Africa, with the support of ACT Foundation, is set to train and support 50 corporate organisations on Workplace Disability Inclusion; provide access to disability audit for 20 organisations; develop disability inclusion policies for 10 corporate organisations. The training workshop is scheduled for March 17, 2021.

Olusola Owonikoko, the Project Director of the organization which caters for the digital empowerment and rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), who disclosed this, stressed that in accordance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, which pledges to leave no one behind, “there is a growing need to implement diversity and inclusion in the workplace in terms of work culture, policies, programs and processes towards a peaceful and prosperous society.

“The workplace disability inclusion program is the first of its kind in Nigeria, and it is targeted at ensuring the work environment is accommodating and conducive to persons with disabilities.

“The workshop is going to bring about a major shift in the corporate sector.” According to Owonikoko, disability inclusion is a critical and strategic part of any organization, considering the fast rate of change and technological advancement across the globe.

“Disability inclusion in the workplace entails more than recruiting people with disabilities. An inclusive workplace values all employees for their strengths. It offers employees with disabilities — whether visible or invisible — an equal opportunity to succeed, to learn, to be compensated fairly, and to advance. True inclusion is about embracing difference. We strongly believe that true inclusion is possible,” Owonikoko explained.

He further encouraged private sector organisations to maximize the opportunity by applying to participate in the free workshop. According to the Head of Communications for the NGO, Lanre Olagunju, “the workshop is a great and rare opportunity for both the private and the public sector. It will provide free technical support for organisations to become sensitive to the needs of PWDs who are mostly excluded.

“We forget that they are existing or potential employees, clients, customers, vendors or service providers, among others. “We are confident that the workshop will strengthen workplace culture, enhance the human resources and also increase compliance for workplace inclusion. This will strategically position organisations to align with global best practices in disability inclusion,” Olagunju stated.

Vanguard News Nigeria

By Adamu Aliyu, TQM correspondent, Yola

Voice for Disability Initiative (VDI) on Monday in Yola, Adamawa State called on Nigerian government to address the gaps that hinders women with disabilities to have access to opportunities on an equal basis with their men counterpart.

“This year’s theme “Women in Leadership, achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”, the persistent pre-existing social and systematic barriers to women’s participation in leadership and new barriers have emerged with COVID-19 pandemic” she added.

“These problems faced by women because of the pandemic is often not narrowed to shed spotlights into the myriads of problems and practices that COVID-19 brought about to the already distressed and challenged lives of women and girls with disabilities like the social distancing strategy and COVID-19 guidelines which do not consider the specific and unique needs of people with disabilities especially women and children with disabilities who needs aids and assistance from other individuals mobility wise”.

In order to address the above concerns, all quarters must work together towards empowering all women to uphold their rights and fully leverage on their leadership potential in the pandemic response, particularly in integrating their perceptive in the formulation and implementation of related policies and recovery programmes.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on every March 8, commemorating the political, social and economic achievement of women.

VDI is an implementing partner to United Women on the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative on Ending Violence against Women which is committed to give voice to women with disabilities and advance their SRHR. As VDI is in Adamawa State now, they are hopeful that the advocacy will reach 36 states including FCT for the promotion and propagation of the rights of women with disabilities.

The highlight of the event was a display of advocacy placards by VDI team promoting some important messages about the rights of women with disabilities. Messages such as End Sexual and Gender based violence against women with disabilities, Leave no woman with disability behind, Invest in Women with Disability today, An injury to a woman with disability is an injury to all, We are women with Disabilities, We are asset not Liabilities, Empower Women with Disabilities, Educate Her! and so on.

TQM learnt that VDI would be engaging key stakeholders in Adamawa State to promote the rights of women with disabilities and encouraging favourable policies towards their wellbeing as well as exposing the women with disabilities to life opportunities in order to enhance their economic wellbeing.

Some pictures of the event:

TQM report,

Iwoland Disability Community have commended Guidance Community Development Foundation in collaboration with Charitable Youth for Nation Building Initiative (CYFNBI) and NUDOLA (Ireland) for empowering people with disabilities through provision of mobility aids such as wheelchairs, shoe making tools such as filling machine with others tools, soap and cream materials.

They also distributed rice, clothes, textbook and many others.

In a statement signed by Comr. Mudasiru Adams, Planning & Organizing Secretary, NAPWPD Osun State, the group specially thanked Mr. kabiru Adisa Kulukulu describing him as Community Servant of our time, for his kindness towards Persons with disabilities, they prayed that God will continue to bless and guide him.

Pictures of the event:

By Chinenye Chukwuma

The member of governing board of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities representing South East zone Hon. Onyejelam Jaja Okparaku has extolled President Buhari for his show of love for persons with disabilities in the country.

Hon Jaja Okparaku made the commendation when he visited His Imperial Majesty Eze Dr Thomas Agu Obiefule the National President, Association of Royal Traditional Rulers of Nigeria at his Nigeria’s Corporate Existence Commemorative palace Umudioka ancient kingdom, Orlu Imo state during an interactive section.

He thanked President Buhari for this struggle of having a Commission for Persons with disabilities which he said started over 20 years ago. Hon Okparaku noted that the aim of his visit to Eze Obiefule is to solicit for his blessing as Eze gburu gburu in the S/E, and also seek for his partnership and support as regards to persons with disability.Hear him, “we have persons with disabilities who cannot help themselves, those who cannot work or go to school, they needs assistance of not only the government but individuals”.

He, however appeal to Eze Obiefule to use his position as number 1 Eze in S/E to see how they can reach their brothers and sisters who God has bless to raise assistance if not fund,it can be crutches, clothing, wheelchair so that they can use it to touch these people because it is not really easy to have a disability.

Speaking on job employment for persons with disability, Hon Okparaku said, ” I have observed that when they are doing community discussion, persons with disabilities are not part of Eze’s cabinet.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to you to use your contracts to see how it can be domesticated so that our members will be carried along at the community level so that any dividends or developmental projects that will come into the community be consider that people with disabilities will have access to a lot of things”.

He expressed satisfaction with the policies and programs of the state government under Governor Hope Uzodinma,explaining that the involvement of the Traditional Rulers in the affairs of the state was an indication that Governor Uzodinma’s administration was that of the people.

Hon Okparaku use the opportunity to appreciate Senator Osita Izunaso whom he said was the anchor person, the pioneer advocate who use his resources and political contacts to ensure that Mr President give assent to that bill, adding that today a commission have been established.

Responding, His Imperial Majesty Eze Dr TA Obiefule of Umudioka Ancient kingdom Orlu thank President Buhari for establishing the Commission for persons with disabilities describing it as a welcome development, pointing out that it has placed Buhari on top of every other President in this country, according to him. ” Buhari is the only President that has remembered persons with disabilities “.

Eze Obiefule noted that the Commission the Head of state have established will go along way to alleviate the sufferings of people with disabilities. He assured them that he will do his best and also use his contacts and network to make people assist them.