Jake Epelle, the founder and CEO of The Albino Foundation who tested positive on 31st December, 2020 to COVID-19 with some members of his family and he had to isolate himself in his home in Abuja.
On Sunday 10th January, 2021, he announced in The Qualitative Magazine Whatsapp Platform that he carried out another test after isolating and having taken the right medications for 10days, he tested negative.
Earlier on Wednesday 13th January 2021 at 10.26am, he announced again at The Qualitative Magazine Whatsapp Platform that on Tuesday, he carried out a confirmation test at NCDC and he tested negative and another with 54Gene with the same result.
He also said that he has few minutes to land at Atlanta, USA at the time he forwarded the statement, a journey that was earlier truncated due to his contraction of COVID-19.
Congratulation to Jake Epelle, we thank God for your life.
Barr. Danlami Basharu, Chairman, United Nations Committee on the Rights Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), has called on employers of labour to be disability-sensitive in recruitment of personnel in their organizations.
Barr. Basharu stressed that being disability-sensitive would help to ensure that persons with disabilities are not discriminated against and are treated equally in the workspace.
Barr. Basharu made this statement during a dialogue on building platforms on an inclusive and accessible workplace in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD and Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, organised by the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB).
Quoting Article 27 of the UNCRPD, Basharu stressed that “People with Disabilities have the right to employment” and the work place should be made accessible.
“There should be employment for PWD and the work has to be freely chosen by the person, the labour market should be accessible to all and inclusive”, he added.
He stressed that, “the UNCRPD defines Accessibility as a ‘precondition for persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully and equally in society. Without access to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communication, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, persons with disabilities would not have equal opportunities for participation in their respective societies.’
He said that employers should avoid discrimination and provide a healthy and safe working environment.
“You must prohibit discrimination against persons with disability and provide healthy safe working environment”.
The Director, Anglo-Nigerian Welfare Association for The Blind (ANWAB)also called for the support of the government and private sector, to provide technical guidance and trainings.
“Government should provide incentive such as laptops and aids for private sectors to help in the recruitment of PWDs,” he added.
Speaking on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Head of Education Committee also an Associate Member of the Blind, Mr. David Okon said that “the SDGs could be achieved when all sectors are fully involved.
“If the goals will be achievable, government, private and religious sector must not be left behind”.
He emphasized that persons with disabilities are very productive and employers should make work place accessible for PWDs.
“Organizations should develop a policy that does not leave anybody behind, persons with disabilities are very productive and employers should look at components that will make a work place accessible to PWDs.”
Earlier, while giving the welcome address, Head, Employment Committee, NAB, Dr. Michael Ebonhor said that everyone should have a form of empathy because everyone suffers a form of disability.
“Everyone suffers a form of disability, what is important is that every human should have a form of empathy.”
While the Director Administrative Service of NAB, Ms. Oluwakemi Odusanya spoke on the overview of the Inclusion Works Project in relation with the Nigeria Association of the Blind.
She said that, the main focus of the dialogue is to make sure that the key word of inclusion and accessibility are put in place for PWDs to have access to formal employment.
We want to ensure that, “more persons with disabilities are gainfully employed and the processes and steps to put in place because there are a lot of technical advantage for inclusion and accessibility”
Participants shared their experiences of how they have been discriminated despite the degrees they have acquired. They also mentioned barriers they face which include attitudinal and infrastructure barriers.
At the end of the dialogue, a communiqué group was formed to create awareness.
Markus Izang Usman is a person with visual disability from Jos East Local government of Plateau state. He is married and the marriage is bless with seven children. He was not born blind, it was in his teen age when he became blind.
In this interview conducted by Joshua Yenle and Bulus Izang, he spoke about being a farmer inspite of his visual impairment
TQM. Have you finished your Secondary school at that time you became blind?
As a child, l was not privileged to be sent to school by my parents, but l later on in life, enrolled myself in literacy evening classes, l was still in literacy classes, when l became blind in 1989. After l became blind, l Later went to Vocational training center Gindiri, in Mangu local government of Plateau state, after completing that training, l then went to Vocational training center for the blind, Zawan, in Jos South local government of Plateau state.
TQM. What is Mr. Markus doing for a living?
In 1993, I gained employment with the blind workshop unit, under the social welfare of Toro local government of Bauchi State.
TQM. You have seven children, are they in school?, If they are, who is paying for their education?
They are schooling, some are in secondary school, one is doing his HND, one of my daughter is married after completing her Diploma program. l have been paying their school fees.
TQM. What is your wife doing for a living?
She is a full-time house wife and she do assist me with my farming.
TQM. Is she a person with disability?
No, she is not a person with any form of disability.
TQM. You mention farming, who is doing the farming for you?
I am doing the farming myself, if l involved other assisting hands, its just for me to finished a particular aspect in good time.
TQM. With visual disability, how do you know what to do and how to do it, when you are in your farm?
When l was in Vocational training center Gindiri, we were taught all the technics of farming, both plants and animals farming, and that is the knowledge and technics l am using to do my farming.
TQM. What type of crops do you grow?
I mostly grow Maize, beans and rice.
TQM. Farming involves inputs or money, do you get assistance from the government or other members of your community?
No, l only manage and save from my salary for the farming.
TQM. Government have in place programs of giving loans and grants to farmers, have you apply for any of them?
No, l have not apply yet, but l am planning of doing so.
TQM. The house you are staying in, are you renting or is it your house?
It is my house, l build it.
TQM. As a person with disability, do you face discrimination in your community?
No, l don’t experience discrimination, the truth is that most of my friends are people without any form of disabilities.
TQM. What would your personal call be to the government and members of the society, in terms of giving you assistance?
I would really wish to be assisted with the payment of my children’s school fees, and to be assisted with farm inputs during rainy seasons.
TQM. Thank you sir for granting us this interview.
Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Imo State chapter has elected new executives to run its affairs in the next election year despite court order barring the association from organising election in the state.
The election which held during the weekend at the Owerri Capital of the State had Dr. Stanley Nwachukwu emerge the chairman of JONAPWD, Imo State chapter.
Nwachukwu polled 72 votes to defeat his closest rival, Barr. Samuel Chukwudi Ihezue who polled 64 votes.
Others contesting for chairmanship position were Mr. Nnadi Nnamdi Isidore, (Ndugba) 22 votes, and Ohuabunwa Godwin who garnered a lone vote to maintain a distant fourth position.
The keenly contested election was under the watchful eyes of security agents, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff and the press.
Other elected Executives were, Mrs. Clinton Amadi as (Vice Chairman), Emeka Rex Nwaocha (Secretary), Obieze Linus (Assistant Secretary) and Ibeh Joseph as Treasurer respectively.
Announcing the result, Chairman of Electoral Committee, Mr. Ikenna Orisaeke commended delegates for conducting the election peacefully, and described the exercise as not only free, fair and credible, but one of the most thoroughly conducted poll in the history of the Association.
Also speaking, Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Hon Ndubuisi Opara expressed happiness that the election ended without any record of violence, and appealed to those who lost not to see their defeat as the end of the world.
Hon Opara called on those that contested and the entire members of JONAPWD to join hands with the new executive to take the association to enviable heights. He also advised the Dr. Nwachukwu-led new exco to carry every cluster along.
In his speech, the new Chairman, Dr. Nwachukwu thanked members of the association for finding him worthy to serve, assuring them of his willingness to run an all-inclusive administration.
He further promised to work in synergy with members of his executive to realize their programs, while calling on those who lost to join hands with him to move the association forward.
Also, in separate speeches, Special Adviser to the Governor on Persons With Disabilities, Dr Samuelson Emehibe and the South East Coordinator of JONAPWD, Comrade Wisdom Okechukwu commended the Electoral Committee for organizing the most credible and rancor free election in the association’s history while advising losers to embrace the new executive.
Dr. Emehibe further maintained that in as much as everyone would not be elected the same time, there was need for members to come together to pursue a common goal geared towards bringing unity, tolerance and development to the association in the state, and appealed to them to key into the 3R mantra of the present Shared Prosperity government of Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of certificate of return to the new Chairman by the Electoral Committee members.
The Sokoto State Government under the capacity watch of special adviser on disability and special needs, Hon Abdul-azeez Ibrahim paid 5 Months Allowances To People with disabilities
Hon. Abdul’azeez advised the Governor Of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Mutawallen Sokoto) that the unpaid 5 month allowances should be given to PWDs in bulk to enable them raise capital to venture into small and medium enterprises.
The Special Adviser in his statement stated that the aim of the project is to put smiles on faces of people with disabilities by giving them a grant to venture into petty trade for self reliance.
According to the disbursement team, that the payment of disbursement fund will take place in all 23 local governments of the state which almost 80% where cleared already.
However! The Hon. S.A stated that the disbursement of fund is equally distributed to the beneficiaries in which each and every member of the corresponding local governments has collected his/her money for the last five months.
Ultimately! The beneficiaries revealed that the gesture is very supportive and helpful to them and wishes the governor of sokoto state Rt.Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Mutawallen Sokoto) the very best of luck in his career as a politician.
The Aid People Change Nigeria (APCN) Charity and Orphanage Organisation is set for another national protest over what it called the exclusion of people with disabilities in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is not only about bad governance but the inconsistent institutions around our Federal Government of Nigeria is really disgusting” said a board member of Aid People Change Nigeria Charity and Orphanage Organisation, Deaconess Pat Edionewe in a chat with newsmen in Lagos.
The Aid People Change Nigeria Charity and Orphanage Organisation is known for accommodation of orphans all over Nigeria and has consistently advocated for the rights of orphans and the vulnerable.
The charity organization with over 2m volunteers all over Africa recently concluded its 12th edition of APCN Humanitarian Awards, hosted by Ambassador of Hope and Peace, Evi Edna Ogholi.
Speaking with newsmen, Edionewe said the protest would be staged in all states of the federation in a peaceful manner.
She said, “Our organization had in the past staged many peaceful protests advocating for disabled people in Nigeria, to earn a better welfare.
“This is a struggle we must sustain. We won’t stop telling truth to power until the minimum goal is achieved.”
Also speaking, a Nigerian Gospel music star, Sister Naomi Ehigie expressed support for the upcoming protest.
“The PMAN (performing musicians association of Nigeria) is strongly in support of this upcoming peaceful protest, this won’t be like ENDSARS, but a more peaceful one,” she said.
Helen Izang Dabo is a person with physical disability from Shere Jankasa of Jos East local government of Plateau state. She is from a family of ten children. She was not born with disability, she was told me that she became a person with disability at the age of two years as a result of sickness, which at first, her parents thought it was stomach ache, but after treating her at home for two days, they noticed her leg have swollen up, and that was the genesis of her disability.
In this interview with our correspondents Bulus Bala Izang and Joshua Yenle, she answered questions on the discrimination she face and how she can report cases of violations against her.
TQM. Was medical attention given to you?
Yes, in fact? my parents seek medical attention for me for years. The success of it, is that, l am living, even though l became a person with disability.
TQM. What about your education, were you privileged to have that?
My parents also provide me with formal education, though, l started late, l started at the age of eight because of the illness. I did my primary school at Shere- Jankasa primary school, after completion. I again admission with Akan Secondary school Jankasa. Which l completed in the year 2011.
TQM. It has been ten years since you completed your Secondary education, what stopped you from going to higher Institution of learning?
My parents are not financially strong to shoulder my education up to that level, and l could not get someone to aid me in that aspect.
TQM. What have you been doing then?
I have a chance in 2015, when the former first lady of Plateau state, Ngo Talatu David Jang, through her WAYE Foundation Program, gave me an opportunity to be trained as a hair dresser, and after the training, l was given #50,000.00. Which l used to start my own beauty hair saloon here in Jankasa. I remain grateful to God and to her for equipping me to be productive in life.
Helen Izang Dabo At work In her beauty hair saloon
TQM. People with disabilities usually faced discrimination from family members or in the society. What is your story like?
I have not recorded any discrimination within my family. But, some members of the society do discriminate against me. Like when discussing in a group, and l made a contribution contrary to what some of the group members are making, in order to have their way, they usually say words like ” people are talking, you too, you are also talking”. Indicating that my disability have taken away my right to socialize, or my freedom of speech, or even my right as a human being.
TQM. What do you do in situations like this?
Intimidation would not discourage me. I feel bad, when ever l am treated badly. But, l still hold my head high, because despite my disability, God have given me abilities, and that settles it.
TQM. Are you aware of Institutions like the Plateau state Disability Rights Commission?
Yes.
TQM. Are you aware of its functions?
No.
TQM. The institution is there, to help protect the rights of persons with disabilities from being abused in the society.
TQM. Finally, if you have any personal request to make to the government or other members of the society, you may do so.
I wish to appeal to the government or any other person to come to my assistance, by providing with a scholarship, so that, l can go to a higher Institution for more study.
It was all smiles on the faces of the people present when Miss health Nigeria, Queen Imelda James on the 29th December 2020 donated two wheelchairs to two persons with disabilities (Miss Ngozi Ossai and Madam Oseji) at her maternal home town Umuseti Oliogo Utagba -Uno, Ndokwa West LGA, Delta State.
The donation was done during the conferment of Inotu chieftaincy tittle on her three uncles; Chief & Lolo Akogo A. Sense, Chief & Lolo Akogo Kendrick E. D and Chief & Lolo Akogo Wilson Ojie.
It was in continuation of her Christmas celebration which she started in Abuja where she donated 3 wheelchairs to 3 persons with disabilities and also shared some food items to indigent people on Christmas Day.
The Federal Government, Friday, has assured that persons with disabilities would be given more political appointments in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to give them sense of belonging.
The government also said it was trying its best to ensure that over two million Nigerians displaced as a result of insurgency, communal clashes, armed banditry, among others were given support.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk disclosed this when she led some members of people with disabilities on a thank-you visit to President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
She said: “Today is a very important day for us and the disability community. We are here on a thank-you visit to Mr President. First, for his support on the issues of persons with disabilities in this country.
“You may recall that in January 2019, Mr President assented to the bill on the prohibition and discrimination against persons with disabilities in this country. That was the first milestone. Mr President also graciously appointed the chairman, board members and the executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
“So, this is a visit to demonstrate our appreciation and our commitment to the administration of President Buhari.”
Speaking on the key take aways from the visit, she said, “You may recall that APC (All Progressives Congress) is the first party to have made provisions for persons with disabilities in their ward, local government, state and national levels since inception.”
“Also, that was followed by the fulfillment of Mr President’s campaign promise to the disabilities community, where he promised to sign the disabilities Act when he comes on board. That has been done and the commission has been created.
“So the next step is for Mr President to issue an executive order for compliance with this act, especially in the area of access, where most of our public and private buildings are not really friendly to persons with disabilities.
“So, this is an appeal we have made to Mr President and we are hopeful that he will direct both public and private buildings in this country should comply with this provision.”
Miss Health Nigeria, Queen Imeld James on Sunday 10th January, 2021 in Gwagwalada, Abuja donated a wheelchair to a girl with intellectual disability (Oluwatosi Yusuf).
The Queen who was in an entourage of her father, Dr. James Ajie and her mother Mrs. Cordelia N. Ajie and her team said that she went into helping persons with disabillities as part of her reach out in conjunction with the health issues she meant to be addressing because a lot of people with disabilities need assistance and not much is being done to help them.
Speaking further, she pleaded that government should take issues of people with disabilities seriously and do more in helping them.
“Well to do Nigerians should assist me in reaching out to persons with disabilities because there are still alot of them out there who need assistance and a little of your contribution can go a long way towards helping them” she added.
She informed that all her reachouts have been family sponsored and some contributions from her friends on social media. She appealed to corporate bodies to join hands with her to reach out to more people with disabilities who are in dying need of assistance.
The Queen’s Parents in a chat with TQM said that they support her because her throne provides opportunity to help the less privileged and it has been fulfilling for the entire family to always donate to this cause. They said that even though her throne supposed to have ended but due to COVID-19, it was extended, so it was an opportunity to do more.
The Mother of the beneficiary, Mrs. Abidoun Yusuf while feeling excited about the gesture, shared the story on how her daughter’s disability occured. According to her, she said that it all started like an attack. “nothing was wrong with her but all of sudden the attack came, she collapsed and we took her to hospital, after sometime, she woke up but she lost her hearing, seeing and walking but graciously, the hearing and seeing came back but she could no longer walk and she could no longer do things on her own”.
“Even though, she would be 18 years this year, we couldn’t take her to school because she can’t coordinate on her own. She doesn’t know when she needs to urinate”.
She said that she is excited about the wheelchair because her daughter would no longer be stuck in the house.
“She loves to go out and play with others but there was no means for her but with this wheelchair, she can go to church with us and play around with her peers”.
The girl’s father Mr. Yusuf Abdulrazaq was dumbfounded when he came in, he expressed his profound gratitude to the Queen and her family for the good that they have done his daughter and pray that good things should not depart from their family.
A family friend Mrs. Sarah Folonshun who is an office colleague of Queen’s Mother, said that when she identified the girl and discuss it with Majesty mother and she was asked to forward the girl’s picture, she prayed over the picture for God to touch the heart of the donor. She is excited that within 4 days, the girl is receiving the wheelchair. She prayed that the wheelchair would be the beginning of many good things in the life of the girl. She appreciated the Queens gesture and prayed for God’s blessings wishing the Queen more exploits in her endeavour in life.
TQM learnt that over the Christmas holidays, the Queen also reach out to a lot of people both in the FCT and her hometown.
