In her continuous effort to cushion the effects of covid -19 pandemic across the country, The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk, along side the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Mr James David Lalu has today Thursday the 14th, January 2021 flagged off the distribution of cash grant to rural women in Katsina, katsina state.
The program which have over 6,700 beneficiaries drawn from all rural areas of the state also have over one-third of the number women with various forms of disabilities.
The cash grant of #20,000 each to the beneficiaries is expected to reduce the economic hardship and stabilize income base of the beneficiaries.
The Executive Secretary while admonishing the beneficiaries in general and women with disabilities in particular, charged them to judiciously make use of the funds to improve their living standard.
Speaking further the NCPWD boss said this gesture of kindness extended to women with Disabilities by the Federal government is a welcome development that will extend to over 5000 women with Disabilities across the country. He then appreciates the president and world Bank for keying into this lofty projects.
The Executive Secretary concluded by appreciating the Minister for always ensuring that Persons with Disabilities are included in her scheme of affairs.
Progressive Minds for Sustainable Development (PROMINDS) recognized the contribution of Comr. Mohammed Abba Isa towards reducing inequality which is the Sustainable development goals 10.
Comr. Mohammed Abba Isa, the Founder and the pioneer chairman of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Yobe State, the APC disabled leader, North East among other positions, he is holding. He is a well experienced person with disabilitu who have attended so many trainings both home and abroad. He has used his position to influence some empowerment and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Yobe State.
In recognition of his passionate contributions towards improving of lives of PWDs, He was awarded the PROMINDS meritorious award 2020.
In a statement made by the Executive Director of PROMINDs, Emmanuel Ayuba Degubi , he said that they nominated Comrade Mohammed Abba Isa after their assesement, he was considered for the meritorious award of Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 10: Reduce Inequality) in recognition of his tireless and outstanding efforts in addressing Inclusiveness and good governance in Yobe State.
PRIMINDs is an NGO which aimed at partnership with government and other stakeholders on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and rural community projects.
Comr. Mohammed Abba Isa received this award alongside the governor of Yobe state who was also recognized by PROMINDS.
Dana Air is set to be sued by Dr. Chike Okogwu over Discrimination and unprofessional conduct of Dana Air towards him on 20th December, 2020 when he was denied to board even though he met all the boarding arrangements set by Dana Air.
Dana Air denied him to board due to his disability against the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
In a letter signed by Prof. Wahab Egbewole SAN of Wahab Egbewole & Co. dated 11th January 2020 and stamped received by Dana Air on the 14th January 2021.
Dr. Kayode Olatoke SAN, RayField Associates which Rt. Hon. Barr. Chibudom Nwuche, Former Deputy Speaker is a principal partner, Rex Eramex and Co and Association of Lawyers with disabilities are all part of the legal team.
In the suit, he is asking Dana Air to pay him the sum of One Billion Naira for discrimination against him and other inconveniences they cause him by denying him to board having met all the conditions set by Dana.
You will recall that he was travelling to meet a medical appointment with his Doctor in Lagos.
The Federal Government of Nigeria is targeting over 160,000 poor and vulnerable rural women, to benefit from the N20,000 cash grant.
This, to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country.
Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Faruk, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development disclosed at the launch of the grant, on Wednesday, in Katsina, where 6,800 rural women would benefit.
“We are targeting over 160,000 poor and vulnerable rural women in Nigeria for the N20,000 grant, to uplift their economic status. Our rural women with disabilities will also be included.
“I hope that the beneficiaries will use this opportunity to increase their income, enhance their food security and contribute toward improving their families,” she said, adding, “The N20,000, will go a long way in supporting any serious woman to start a business. What is most important is how judiciously you utilize the money”
The minister said that over N9.5 billion was received by Katsina State, under the Conditional Cash Transfer program, from the inception of this administration to date.
According to her, the grants had impacted the lives of over 142,474 vulnerable households in the state, as 12 local governments were currently benefitting from the program.
Sadiya listed the benefitting local governments to include, Bakori, Batagarawa, Baure, Bindawa, Dandume, Ingawa, Kaita, Kankara, Mani, Musawa, Rimi, and Danmusa. She also said that the Federal Government, in partnership with World Bank, had designed a Safety Net program for Nigeria, that included cash transfer, as well as a COVID-19 rapid response register.
“President Buhari has approved 1 million beneficiaries in the country to be given another N5,000 for the next six months to cushion the effects of COVID-19. This time around, we are going to target the urban poor and the artisans who lost their small businesses as a result of the pandemic,” she said.
In his remarks, the state Deputy Governor, Mannir Yakubu, who represented Gov. Aminu Masari, at the occasion, commended the Federal Government for the grant.
Yakubu pointed out that the government had done so much through its social intervention program, to uplift the living condition of people in the country, since its inception, and urged the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the grant, to enhance their livelihoods.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters has advised the staff of the Office of the Governor on Disability Matters to come up with their A-list game and the right attitude as work commences fully.
Speaking to his staff at their first staff meeting, Barrister Chukwuka Ezewuzie appreciated God for the privilege to see the new year and emphasized the need for staff to have the right attitude to work if they must excel in any task given.
“For you to perform excellently you must have the right perception, the right connection and the right reflection.”
“If you have the right perception of your duty, you won’t see your job as government work rather you will work conscientiously. The right perception of your responsibility will make you to serve religiously, the right perception of your co-workers will make you share relationally and the right perception of the need in the disability community will make you to sacrifice relentlessly.”
” Furthermore if you have the right connection you will function maximally and achieve optimally.”
“If you have the right reflection your thoughts will be established and your steps will be directed.”
“I look forward to seeing the best from all of you, be dedicated to your duties and show the world the ‘diaspora standard’ I have inculcated in you.”
“OGDM does not and will not tolerate disobedience, dishonesty, connivance and cover up.”, Barrister Ezewuzie concluded.
In his own remark, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Disability Service and also the Coordinator of Operations in the Office of the Governor on Disability Matters, Mr. Ugochukwu Ernest Okeke charged the staff to always bear in mind that it is their duty to serve the disability community in Anambra State and as such do it with every sense of humility.
“I charge all of us here to step up our game and bring in new ideas that will bring in best results in our various duty post.”
“There won’t be room for excuses or cover up and subsequently dedicated staff shall be rewarded as the year end for their selfless service.”, Mr. Ugochukwu Okeke explained.
Highlights of the staff meeting was the unveiling of new committees to be constituted by the Office of the Governor on Disability matters in conjunction with Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) Anambra State Chapter. The committees includes: Employment Advocacy Team (EAT) to meet the employment challenges of PWDS in the state, School Admission Team (SAT) to address the problems PWDS face during admission process and Worship House Accessibility Team (WHAT) to make sure that worship centers are disability friendly.
International Disabilities Alliance (IDA) has called on government, UN agencies and the private sector to give priority to Persons with Disabilities in accessing the COVID-19 Vaccinations.
It also advocated for free or low-cost vaccinations for all Persons with Disabilities and their support networks.
IDA made the call in a statement published on its website.
It also wants vaccination sites to be physically accessible and that assistance is provided for those who need it.
The statement read in part: “outreach is conducted to ensure that Persons with Disabilities know of the availability of vaccinations, and that all information is inclusive and accessible.
“Vaccination data must be disaggregated by age, gender and disability, and web-based services should be fully accessible and ensure confidentiality.
“Receiving the COVID-19 vaccination must be based on free and informed consent of Persons with Disabilities.
“Persons with disabilities and their representative organizations must participate in policy and planning on distribution of vaccinations.
“Organizations of Persons with Disabilities must become partners in the roll-out of information campaigns, reaching out to the most marginalized people and ensure their messages are clear, inclusive and accessible.”
Agada Yakubu Abok is a person with multiple disability from Angware, in Jos East local government of Plateau state. He has visual impairment and physical disability and he is married to Anna Yakubu Abok and their union is blessed with six children.
He became blind after, he started his primary school, this made him to change school and attended school for the blind children Gindiri, in Mangu local government of Plateau state, from there he went to Government College Jos. He successfully completed his secondary school there, but could not go beyond secondary education.
In this interview with Bulus Izang and Joshua Yenle, he spoke on his evangelism.
TQM. Why could you not go further in your education?
I could not go further, because of the nature of my disability. like l told you earlier, l have multiple disability, l have partial use of one of my legs and one of my hands, l cannot make use of it. That is in addition to lack of sight. And because of the one hand, l find it difficult to make effective use of the braille and typewriter, that required two hands to utilize.
TQM. You are a family man. What activity are you doing to provide for your family?
God called me to be an evangelist, preaching God’s words of salvation in Christ Jesus to people, and that is what l have been doing. God have been faithful to me by providing for me and my family.
TQM. Are you attached to any particular church?
No. I am not attached to any particular church, though, l am a member of COCiN, but l go about preaching to mankind alone, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
TQM. What about your wife, is she a person with disability like you?
No. She is not a person with disability.
TQM. What is your wife doing for a living?
She is a street cleaner, which are being paid by the government.
TQM. Apart from evangelism, are you doing any other activity?
I do sell gospel CDs/DVDs disks and l do make little income from it. It is also part of my evangelism work.
TQM. You do not have a specific work that earns you money, and you have a wife and six children. Are your children Schooling? If yes, who is paying for their education?
My children are schooling. When you trust in God, He will not fail you and when you are working for Him, He will provide for you. God have been providing for me, He is the one that called me.
TQM. You are a person with disability and you have a call to evangelize. Don’t people find it difficult to accept Gods massage through you, because of your condition?
No, you see, l am not using my ability to preach salvation through Christ, rather, God who is able, is using me to preach. God can call and use anybody, able or disable to do His work, if only we make ourselves available for Him to use.
TQM. Lastly sir, As a person with disability, have you experienced discrimination in your family or community?
Yes, l have experienced discrimination, even as a Child, people called on my father to abandon me because of my disabilities. But l thank God and my family for their love towards me as a human being. In any face of discrimination, l see more of God’s grace in my life. God is using me, where men rejects me. Today, l am not only an evangelist, but l am also a Special Assistant to the Chairman of Jos East local government of Plateau State. People should stop the discriminating against people with disabilities.
The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency, Dr. Mohammed Bello (Matawalle Maradun) has donated five vehicles to Persons Wth Disabilities (PWDs) in Zamfara State.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Media, Lawali Madugu.
The Governor, represented by former Deputy Governor of the State, Alh.Ibrahim Wakkala Gusau, handed over the keys of the vehicles to four traditional leaders of disability community and a party leaders with disabilities.
The traditional leaders in disability community who got the vehicle gifts were Sarkin Kurma, Alh. Shehu, Sarkin Kurma, Alh. Ibrahim Sanni Bakura, Sarkin Gurgu, Alh. Sanni Shehu, Sarkin Makafi and Sarkin Kuturu, Alh. Shehu Abdullah.
Alh. Shehu Umar Unguwar Gwaza, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Disabled leader also received his share of the vehicle.
The Nigeria Association of the Blind, Lagos state Chapter have elected their new executives where Barrister Bolarinwa Salami emerged as the new chairman.
The Association after its General Meeting and Elections of the executives on Friday and Saturday 8th and 9th January, 2021 which took place at Institute of Medical Research, Yaba-Lagos.
After the election that was conducted in peaceful atmosphere, the following officials were elected for a tenure of four years:
