Some of the beneficiaries were picked from the street and under bridges.

The Kano state government has empowered no fewer than 60 women, youths and Persons with disability with different entrepreneurial skills, following the ban on street begging in the state, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Zahra’u Muhammad-Umar, has said.

Speaking during the presentation of the empowerment package to the beneficiaries, in Kano, on Thursday, she said that there was need for women to be financially stable and help their families., explaining that “Some of the beneficiaries were picked from the street and under bridges.”

Muhammad-Umar said this necessitated the decision to empower the women and other vulnerable people in the state, that were living with disability for them to fend for themselves and quit street begging.

The beneficiaries were given N10,000 each, in addition to sewing machines, soya beans, beans, millet, rice, freezers, small generating sets,, groundnut oil, pestle and mortar, frying pan, flour, grinding machines and second hand clothes, among other assorted items. to help themselves

The commissioner explained that each of the beneficiaries got an empowerment package based on the type of business they were interested in.

” There will be mentoring and follow up to ensure that they are doing what we have taught them and make sure they do not sell the goods. As you have been given empowerment package anyone found on the street again will be taken to court”, she told the beneficiaries.

She commended the state Gov. Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, for his support to the beneficiaries, while urging wealthy individuals to support the less privileged to be self-reliant, saying that the ministry would soon start visiting wealthy individuals in the state for their contributions.

“The government cannot do it alone anyone found will be taken to his or her local government for the wealthy individuals there to empower them”, Muhammad-Umar said.

NAN reports that on Feb. 5, the Kano State Government arrested 500 beggars and repatriated them to their various communities, following the ban on street begging in the state.

The Wife of Kano State Governor, Dr Hafsat Abdullahi, also urged the beneficiaries to put their skills into practice and build their dreams around it, adding that, the biggest business owners of today all started small.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr Mariya Bunkure, the first lady appealed to the beneficiaries to abide by the laws that banned street begging, saying that government would still provide with more empowerment.

“We want a clean state and we will not tolerate street begging,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Fatima Ayuba, commended the the state government and promised not to sell the materials given to her.

by Chris Agbo

Centre for Citizens with disabilities (CCD) with the support of Ford Foundation carried out a research on Public Institutions Compliance to Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 in Abuja.

On Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 in Abuja, CCD brought together the line MDAs, other stakeholders and persons with disabilities who participated on the research to carry out a public validation of the research findings.

The Executive Director of CCD, Mr. David Obinna Anyaele in his opening remark said that the essence of the meeting is to provide opportunity for the stakeholders especially those who participate in the research to validate the findings, make recommendations that will aid future assessment of the compliance of National Disability Act, he urged the participants to listen attentively to the presentation of the findings and make contributions, point out where corrections should be made and suggestions to strengthen the process.

Speaking further, he said that after the signing disability bill into an act by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 after the bill have been previously refused assent by President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan, there is no indication that state and non-state actors have complied to the law. So, it becomes imperative to put a process in place to ascertain the level of compliance especially in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It will aid the implementation of the act by line MDAs and it will also help to create awareness about the act among the public and persons with disabilities themselves.

The research finding was presented for validation by Victor Owoyomi and the research questions looked at knowledge and perception of the public institutions on the implementation of the act, level of compliance by the public institutions, challenged of implementing the provisions of the act, current social context of PWDs in FCT and how policy actors can improve on the implementation and enforcement of the act.

According to Victor, the research was qualitative and researchers report verbatim the response of the respondents who participated at the Focus Group Discussions(FGD), Key Informants Interview (KII) and Indepth-Interviews.

The key respondents at the research are leaders/representatives of disability rights organization such as Nigeria Association of the Blind FCT, Abuja Association of Deaf, National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD) FCT, SCIAN FCT, Persons with Albinism, Federal Ministry of Finance, Humanitarian Affairs Ministry, Ministry of Works and housing, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Information and Culture including National Human Rights Commission.

In the research findings, it was discovered that majority of the policy actors in public institutions that were interviewed were generally aware of the act and demonstrated satisfactory perception of the law but shallow knowledge of the specific provisions in the law as regards the role of their respective ministries.

The findings also shows that a sizable number of PWDs are not aware of the specific provisions of the act while the leaders from different disability rights organization interviewed showed a satisfactory knowledge of the provisions of the act.

There is absent of satisfactory compliance among the public institutions interviewed, it may be traceable to lack of specific policy documents speaking directly to disability issues in those public institutions. The most recorded compliance was the provisions of accessibility aid such as ramps, elevators while compliance in terms provisions of equal employment opportunities, sign language interpreters at public institutions as a form of inclusion and social welfare in terms of free health care and education were reported to be quite low.

There was general view among PWDs and their leaders that implementation of the act is still low to lack of budget line for disability related affairs and disability institutions such as National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, lack of political will and poor knowledge of policy actors. This has lead to weak enforcement of Nigeria Disability Act.

The findings, the researchers recommended that there is need for more creation among PWDs on the National Disability act and proper orientation is need among the public institution, policy actors, institution should develop specific policy on disability inclusion, there would be budget line specifically for the inclusion and welfare of PWDs and there should be advocacy for multi-sectorial approach-collaborate with the National Commission for Persons with disabilities.

The participants made inputs which was noted to help to prepare the report and share with line MDAs and also aid the future research on compliance of the public institution towards implementation of National disability act.

The representative of National Human rights Commission and that of the National Commission for persons with disabilities in their good message committed towards working with CCD to ensure that their aim and objectives towards implementation of National Disability Act is achieved.

Some Pictures Of Event

TQM report,

Mimijean Foundation for women and children with disabilities on Tuesday marked the birthday her matron Lady Helen Osarojiji Ekadi at JKS special needs orphanage and autism centre located at Kubwa, Abuja.

The celebrant who resides in United Kingdom used the day to honor of her late daughter “‘ Miss TARI EKADI” who died as result of cerebral palsy.

The founder of Mimijean Foundation, Beatrice Mube, her team and friends celebrated with the children with disabilities at the centre.

The event was characterized with cutting of cake, signing and dancing, toasting for the celebrant and prayers for the celebrant.

The foundation also donated cash and some toiletries to the centre

Beatrice Mube told TQM that the celebrant and the foundation choose to celebrate with the children with intellectual disabilities in honour of the celebrant who died as result of cerebral palsy. She said if she is alive, the mother and the foundation would have been celebrating her mother’s birthday in these kids, so that is why we took the decision to come toJKS because there is no other better way to honour the girl.

She prayed for long life, good health and prosperity for the matron of the foundation, saying that she will live so long to mark many more birthday with the foundation.

Some picture of the event

TQM report,

Judicial officers and law enforcement agencies have been urged to put necessary measures in place to ensure that people with disabilities have easy access to justice.

By Chidimma Ajemba

Speaking with coordinator in charge of the Free Prosthetic Limbs program who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Donor Agency, Lady Mary Ogugua said this is part of the many philanthropic works her Excellency has done through her Caring Family Enhancement Initiative NGO.

“Chief Mrs Eberechukwu Obiano,Mama Anambra is a woman with the kindest of heart. Her passion to help humanity brought about this free Prosthetic Limbs program which she partners with Ishak Toralam Foundation”.

“She started this exercise since 2014 and over 2,000 amputees has benefitted from it.

“This is the sixth year and over 250 persons were measured for the free limbs earlier in December and today they have come for the collection of it.” She explained.

Lady Ogugua advised the beneficiaries to do constant practice with limbs in other to get use to it.

Interacting with some of beneficiaries, one Mr Olisa Onunkwo who hails from Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area,a victim of accident since 1983 expressed his feelings.

” I feel like one who just got a new wife, because for long I have been with out limb since mine got faulty. I ask God to bless Osodieme for me,I am very grateful”.

Another beneficiary Mrs Anuri Olise a Deltan expressed her gratitude.

“I am from Delta, I heard about the free prosthetic limbs provided by Osodieme on radio and I decided to come partake and behold I was attended even though I’m not from this state. I had this accident since 4 years but I haven’t been able to afford a prosthetic limb. I pray God to bless her Excellency for me.”

Mr Jude Nnanyelugo from Mbaukwu Awka South,an accident victim also shared his feelings.

“I just regained my confidence since 2years that I was involved in an accident. I couldn’t afford a prosthetic since then so I am very grateful to Mrs Obiano for her kind gesture towards us and I pray God to reward her immensely.”

In a separate reaction,the Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie appreciated her Excellency for providing prosthetic limbs for amputees in Anambra State consistently for six years and ask beneficiaries to continue to support Governor Willie Obiano administration as he continues to lay down legacies that will stand the taste of time.

” Mama Anambra has shown truly just like her husband that she has special love for persons with disabilities in Anambra by restoring joy and hope for these amputees who has lost their limbs through accidents and sickness. She has continued to do this humanitarian act for 6 years through her Non Governmental Organization “CAFE”. My advice to the beneficiaries is that they should continue to support Governor Obiano administration”

Lending his own voice,the state chairman of Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, Comrade Ugochukwu Ernest Okeke thanks her Excellency for her benevolent gesture to the amputees.

“The happy look on their faces today shows that these prosthetic has helped renew their self confidence. I pray God to bless and keep Osodieme for us. I also advise the beneficiaries to make sure they make use of these prosthetic limbs.”

About 150 amputees got their limbs fixed today while the remaining ones are expected to come pick theirs tomorrow.(OGDM)

Pictures of the Event:

TQM report,

Society for the Empowerment of Young Persons (SEYP) in partnership with JOINT ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (JONAPWD)Edo State Chapter on Monday in Benin City organized a BUSINESS/ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS & AND EMPOWERMENT program for Persons with Disabilities in Edo State.

The participants were urged to make use of the skills to improve their lives.

The event were well attended by persons with disabilities especially women with disabilities and the participants were drawn from all clusters.

Some pictures of The Event:

TQM report,

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed have started fulfilling his promise by summoning National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Some Media Houses in his office on Tuesday in Abuja to deliberate on how they can deploy sign language interpreters during major news time.

The Outcome of the meeting according our source was that the minister ordered NBC to make it mandatory as policy for all TV stations to employ and deploy sign language interpreters during news time.

You will recall that on Monday, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities led by the Executive Director, Mr. David Anyaele paid an advocacy visit to the Minister of Information and culture where the issue of employment and deployment of sign language interpreters was top on their demands and the minister promised to give directive for its immediate implementation.

It is excited to note that he has already started making moves to fulfill his promise.