TQM report,

The Association of lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) is horrified by the discriminatory conduct of DANA Air against a member of their community, in the person of Dr. Chike Okogwu.

In a press statement titled “Condemnation of Discriminatory Conduct Of Dana Air Against Dr. Chike Okogwu and demand For Immediate Change of Discriminatory Policy, Reparation And Tendering Of Apology” sent to TQM signed by The National President of ALDIN, Daniel Onwe, the group pointed out the following:

1. The facts and evidence available to ALDIN is that Dr. Chike Okogwu had boarded a 7:20pm flight from Abuja to Lagos on December 20, 2020 which was rescheduled by Dana Air to 9:05pm. At the time of Boarding, Dr. Chike Okogwu was told that he could not travel along with the others because he was a wheelchair user. Note that there was no previous warning to this shocking turn of event. It was Dana Air that rescheduled the flight of Dr. Chike Okogwu to night and then again turned around to say they cannot fly him at night because he was a special person – the airline is precluded from approbating and reprobating at the same time. The intentional discriminatory measures and breach of contract against passengers with disabilities by DANA Air is manifestly reprehensible.
2. Dr. Chike Okogwu is not alone in the quagmire of this sort of inhuman treatment meted by Dana Air against passengers with disabilities. The ALDIN is in receipt of complaints from other members of the disability community about how the airline metes discriminatory guidelines, policies and treatment against them.
3. We condemn in strongest terms the deliberate abuse of the rights of Dr. Chike Okogwu and other persons with disabilities, by Dana Air. We submit that the conduct of Dana Air is unlawful, inhuman and culpable. Dana Air’s penchant for discriminatory policies against passengers with disabilities is against the relevant provisions of the “Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018, specifically,

Section 1(1) states that;
A person with disability shall not be discriminated against on the ground of his disability by any person or institution in any manner or circumstance.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1), commits an offence and is liable on conviction to, if the person is –
(a) a body corporate, a fine of N1,000,000.00; and
(b) an individual, a fine of N100,000.00 or six months imprisonment or both
(3) Notwithstanding the prosecution, conviction or otherwise of any person for any offence under this Act, the person against whom the crime or wrong is committed may maintain a civil action against the person committing the offence or causing the injury, without prejudice to any conviction or acquittal.

Also relevant in this case, is Section 14 which is to the effect that;

All airlines operating in Nigeria shall –
(a) ensue the accessibility of their aircraft to persons with disabilities;
(b) make available presentable and functional wheelchairs for the conveyance of persons with disabilities who need them to and from the aircraft;
(c) ensure that persons with disabilities are assisted to get on and off board in safety and reasonable comfort; and
(d) ensure that persons with disabilities are accorded priority while boarding and disembarking from the aircraft.
(2) All airports shall make available for the conveyance of persons with disabilities who need presentable and functional assistive and protective devices to and from the aircraft.

1. It is clear that DANA Air’s repugnant and careless policy to the effect that a passenger with disabilities cannot fly alone but in company of an aide, and also that he cannot fly at night is against the spirit and letter of the law cited above. A passenger with disabilities only possesses infirmity and not disease or sickness. Passengers with disabilities are able to travel at any time they so desire and are by law entitled to assistive and protective devices to do so, not preclusion.
2. We will not stop short of being moved emotionally by the harrowing and abusive treatment of Dana Air on our people but are resolved to do anything possible within the ambit of the law to seek justice for our members. Accordingly, we call on Dana Air to immediately tender an apology to Dr. Chike Okogwu and all other persons with disabilities they have wronged; make appropriate reparation for their wrongdoing, and change forthwith, all discriminatory policies against persons with disabilities.
3. ALDIN having resolved to give free legal services to members of the disability Community who had suffered pains and neglect due to the discriminatory policies of Dana Air will not hesitate to resort to legal action, should DANA Air fail to redress all the wrong meted out on air passengers with disabilities in Nigeria and conduct its business in a lawful and non- discriminatory manner.

TQM report,

The first disability reality show, AID (Ability in Disability) Talent Hunt came to an end on December, 21, 2020 in Abuja and a blind DJ/singer and instrumentalist, Augustine Akpeji emerged as the winner of the contest.

The grand finale of the contest have 14 remaining contestants performing on the night to surge it out for the ultimate prize.

The night witnessed a lot of fun for the audience as some of the contestants brought their best forward and after the first performances, four contestants, Molakwu Blessing Nkechi(amputee), Moses Uzuakpundu (Blind), Ibu Peter Ogar(Physical disability), and Sunday Ewolo Abraham( physical disability and blind) were evicted.

The remaining 10 contestants, Wilfred Agharne(blind), Philip John (physical disability), Lucky Pastor (blind), Akpeji Augustine Ayodele(Blind), Ameh Sunday Kelvin ( amputee), Sunday Ejeh (physical disability), Festus Zenda (Deaf). Odogwo Christopher (Person with Albinism), Kelechi Uhegwu (physical disability), Ava Pelemo Nyajo (Physical disability) had their performances and after the judges after their consideration of the votes, talent and characters, they choose the first black blind DJ, Augustine Ayodele Akpeji from Edo state as the winner of the contest.

Augustine Akpeji would go home with a car prize and one year promotion of his act by the organizers.

watch the video of announcement of the winner

One of the judges, Mother of Model offered jobs to the two blind DJs in the contestant, Wilfred Agharne and Augustine AKpeji, she said “the two DJs have been employed in my club”.

Mother of Model also offered to sponsor the production of the team song and also sponsor the video of the song and one of the judges, Sidney Sparro will be the producer of the team song.

Mother of Model also offered to assist to raise funds for the team to acquire band instruments which they would be playing in events, wedding parties, shows etc, she said “this team is an amazing band and we all should assist to raise funds for their band instruments and also promote then to play in wedding parties,

TQM congratulates Augustine Akpeji for his well deserved prize and the entire contestants because they are all winners, they all put up heroic performance that made entire persons with disabilities all over the world proud.

SOME PICTURE OF THE SHOW

TQM report,

Center for Citizens With Disabilities (CCD) have condemned in strong terms the discrimination against persons with disabilities by Dana Airline by reason of being a wheelchair users.

In a press release sent to TQM signed by The Executive Director of CCD, Mr. David Obinna Anyaele titled (Increasing Human Rights Abuse Against Passengers with Disabilities by Dana Airline), the group stated that this increasing notorious behaviour by the airline is a statement that passengers with disabilities are prohibited from using their service.

The recent experience of Dr. Chike Okogwu who on Dec. 20, 2020, 9:45pm was not allowed by the Dana airline to board their flight bound for Abuja to Lagos because he is a wheelchair user speaks volumes. The company is claiming that their policy includes not to carry a person on wheelchair during night flight. With this new policy by Dana Airline, a new pattern of discrimination against citizens with disabilities has been announced in the aviation industry in Nigeria.

The group is worried that this is not the first-time passengers with disabilities are being discriminated against by airline operators, in particular Dana Airline, as a lady on wheelchair was found on a video footage being denied access to board Dana Airline few days ago at MM2 Lagos Airport.

CCD, therefore states that this Dana Airline policy is a violation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 which provides in section 1 that a person with disability shall not be discriminated against on the ground of his disability by any person or institution in any manner or circumstance whatsoever. This is in tandem with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) which mandates states parties in article 5 to prohibit all discrimination on the basis of disability and guarantee to persons with disabilities equal and effective legal protection against discrimination on all. Nigeria is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) including its optional protocols.

“This obnoxious Dana Airline policy is also a violation of section 14 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 which provides that all airlines operating in Nigeria shall ensure the accessibility of their aircraft to persons with disabilities; make available presentable and functional wheelchair for the conveyance of persons with disabilities who need them to and from the airport; ensure that persons with disabilities are assisted to get on and off board in safety and reasonable comfort; and ensure that persons with disabilities are accorded priority while boarding and disembarking from the aircraft”

The group called on the leadership of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to speedily investigate the increasing human rights violations against citizens with disabilities by airline operators in Nigeria with the view of bringing perpetrators to book. Part of the functions of the Commission include: receiving of complaints of persons with disabilities on the violation of their rights; and to promote and uplift the general social well-being of persons with disabilities by encouraging the public to change their attitude towards persons with disabilities .

They also called on the Federal Ministry of Aviation to speedily implement section 14:2 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 which provides that all airports shall be made available for the conveyance of persons with disabilities who need presentable and functional assistive and protective devices to and from the aircraft. We need #Accessible Airports, in particular mobile wheelchair lifters in all our airports across the Federation for easy access to and from aircraft, as more than 95% of the airports in Nigeria are not accessible to persons with disabilities.

They are also requesting for the urgent intervention of the leadership of the National Assembly, particularly House Committee on Disability Matters; and Aviation through conduct of oversight functions on the state of access to airport for persons with disabilities in order to appreciate the level of hardship being faced by citizens with disabilities at our airports so as to make appropriate legislations to protect the rights of airport users with disabilities.

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) is the premier organization of, and for persons with disabilities that works to promote disability rights, independent living, and social inclusion of persons with disabilities and their families in development efforts. Also, it works to educate, support and empower persons with disabilities and their families to maximize their potentials. CCD coordinated CSOs campaign that led to the passage of the National Disability Act.

by Blessing Bature-Akpakpan,

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry Of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has on Tuesday inaugurated the chairman and members of council of the national commission for persons with disabilities.

The Minister, FMHADMSD, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq said on her assumption of office as the Honourable Minister, she was confronted with the yearnings for the implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (prohibition) Act 2019 which establishes the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

Farouq said, “the composition of the council and appointment of the executive Secretary became my priority.  The search for you began, wider consultation was made, you were carefully selected on the recommendations of highly placed Nigerians.”

She therefore challenge the  them to bring to bear their expertise in putting in their best devoid of personal enrichment, to support the Commission to deliver dividend of democracy to Persons with Disabilities, saying that the  task before this Commission is heavy, expectations from the Disability Community in Nigeria is very high. “You are therefore enjoyed to do justice to all, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, religion, and region.

She appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for not only signing the bill into an act but approving the appointment of the Chairman and Members of Council as well as the Executive Secretary as follows: Hon. Dr. Husseini Suleiman Kangiwa Chairman, North West; Ms. Amina Rahma Audu Member, North West;  Ms. Philomena I Konwea Member, South South; Mrs. Esther A. Awu Member, North Central, Mr. Abba Audu Ibrahim Member, North East; Mr. Omopariola Busuyi Member, South West; Mr. Jaja Oparaku Member, South East.

The Minister  assured them of the full support of the Government and her personal commitment to their success.

The Chairman of the Governing Council, National Commission For Persons with disabilities, Hon. Dr. Husseini Suleiman Kangiwa thank the senate, Mr president and humanitarian minister for the quick confirmation of the nomination, adding it is imperative to say that we are aware of the task ahead of us, we will lay a good foundation for the commission that will enable us to meet the needs of the persons with disability.

TQM report,

Meanwhile, the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (an umbrella body of lawyers with disabilities in Nigeria) who is appearing for Dr. Chike Okogwu shall be meeting before the adjourned date to discuss the next line of action for and on behalf of the Defendant.

Watch the Video of Chike and his lawyer immediately after he was granted bail

TQM report,

Abuja Association of the Deaf Women Wing in collaboration with AbilityPlus Initiative on Saturday in Abuja marked the international day for persons with disabillities 2020 with award presentation and employment of deaf women.

Queen Janet Fasakin in her opening speech said that COVID-19 pandemic has deepened pre-existing inequalities, exposing the extent of exclusion, which also highlighted that work on disability inclusion is imperative because persons with disabilities are one of the most excluded groups in our society and the most hit in any crisis including this COVID-19 because it is a known fact that PWDs are among the poorest of the poor.

She also said that International Day for Persons with disabilities 2020 theme” building back better, toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable Post- COVID-19 World” is a call for the world to build a better inclusive and accessible and sustainable society in post Covid-19.

“That it will also provide for more agile systems that would respond to complex situations, reaching every member of the society, thereby no one is left behind ” she said.

“Abuja Association of the Deaf women wing, in collaboration with Ability plus Initiative are building back better in there own little way, toward a sustainable post covid -19, by coming together to add their voice of advocacy and by empowering its members to be independent, self-reliance and sustain them in this post covid 19” she added.

Therefore, AAD wing and AbilityPlus Initiative understood that a lot of their members were so hit during the Covid -19, many lost their jobs, many couldn’t go to where they earn a living daily because of lockdown, to eat became a problem because there were no money.

It became a concern for them and other organizations alike, they appealed to well meaning Nigerians to help with food stuffs and conditional cash transfers, it was not sustainable so she said but it helped.

In order to build a sustainable income for them and to stop begging for them so that the donors will not develop fatigue, they came up with and launched an initiative (EMPOWER HER) to empower deaf women to become self reliance, there is a saying “when you empower a women, you empower a nation”.

She said that the event offered an opportunity for few selected women to be empowered to sustain themselves and their families and by extension Disability community. There is an

She informed that one of Ability plus goal is to have a vocational centre where PWDs can be trained on difference skills such as Fashion designing,make up, hair dressing ,photography and others. It will come into fusion with your support.

She recognized the need to honour those she described as “our hero”, that is women with disabilities who are at the forefore of disability issue, advocating for rights of women with disabilities and disability inclusion . An award of excellence titled; “Inclusion Champion Award” should be given to them to thank them for their support and sacrifices.

She concluded by recognizing the power of togetherness that has existed among them and urge her members to continue in the same spirit so that a lot would be achieved for the good of deaf women and women with disabilities in general.

She specially thanked the following people and organizations for making her first outing as AAD women wing leader successful, Prof Kubby, Dr asonye of S-Deli, ASLIN Abuja chapter, Bar Francise Ibanga,Mr Olawale Alade , Latiwa foundation, Hajia Jamilah Hamza, Joseph Toyin, Olumeka Daniel Enwemike, Deborah Brown Majekodunmi of Kids ability, Hajia Amina, Mr Samuel Ogundare, Jummy her baby gal,
Avershima Akighir, Mal Abdulmumuni SUlayman Ujah , ECOWAS Court, and many others.

There were goodwill messages from Lawrence Idemudia, Executive Director, Centre for Deaf Inclusion, Ephraim Omoriege, the Chairman, Abuja Association of the Deaf (AAD), Abdulmumuni Ujah, Chairman, JONAPWD FCT, Mrs. Lois Auta Udonkata Founder/CEO Cedar Seed Foundation, President Network for Disabled Women, , Dr. Irene Patrick-Ogbogu, ED, Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC), Abdulwasiu Mosurat Tililope, former Women leader AAD, Abuja among others.

The event witnessed the presentation of award to deserving individuals such as Dr. Irene Ojiugo Patrick-Ogbogu from DRAC for her contribution to sexual rights of Women and Girls With Disabilities, Mrs. Lois Auta Udonkata from Cedar Seed Foundation, the President, Network for Disabled Women for her contribution to the empowerment of women with disabilities, Abdulwasiu Mosurat Tililope immediate past AAD women wing leader, Charity James, former Nigerian National Association of the Deaf Women Wing leader, Bukunmi Adejumo and Deborah Dongana, sign language interpreters for their selfish services, Mrs.France Ibanga for her support for AAD women wing and disability inclusion.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of food items such as bags of rice and vegetable oil to those who lost their husbands and they want to go into food vendor business to start up. The one that excited the audience at the event was when the deaf lady that got a sewing machine donated by Latiwa foundation went emotional burst into tears of joy because it is a long prayer answered, she has gotten a sewing that will help her to start up fashion designing outfit.

TQM learnt that the empower her project is an ongoing project because there is still a lot of deaf women and Women with disabilities all over the places waiting for little capital or items to start up a trade.

Some pictures of the event:

By Dami Lanre, TQM Correspondent, Lagos

LionHeart Ability Leaders International Foundation (LALIF), with support from Disability Right Fund organized a round table seminar with the theme “Operation Stop Usher Syndrome: Let’s give individuals with Deaf-Blindness in Lagos State a future.

TQM report,

On Sunday 20th December, 2020, Dana Air was at it again, denying another wheelchair user to board with the wheelchair claiming that it is their policy that they do not board a person with a wheelchair.

It was just one week ago that they denied a woman on wheelchair to board with them for the reason that she cannot board with her wheelchair. They had their way with the woman but on Sunday, they met a resistant when they denied Dr. Chike Okogwu, a disability right advocate to board with his wheelchair, he ensured that he brought the activities of DANA AIR in Abuja Airport where the incident happened to a halt.

It all started when Dr. Chike arrived the Abuja Airport at about 7pm and got his boarding pass for a flight that was formerly scheduled for 7.20pm but it was rescheduled to 9.05pm going from Abuja to Lagos.

A few minutes later, the Dana Air staff (A lady) who gave him a boarding pass informed him that as a result of being on a wheelchair, and going by Dana Air Policy of not boarding persons on wheelchair that he will not board on the aircraft. He reached out to the Duty Manager, and he repeated the same thing. Dr. Chike tried to explain to them that it was Dana Air that changed his flight which hitherto supposed to be by 7.20pm and now it was the last night flight which he can afford to miss. He offered to pay the men who will carry him into the aircraft which has been the practice over the years but all his efforts met a brick wall.

His ticket was business class and he was to meet up a medical appointment but the staff of Dana Air was non-nonchalant and insensitive to all his plead, he become angry and damaged their counter because they provoked him by denying him his right as contained in The Discrimination Against Persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 and Dana Air did not inform him online of the any such policy of not boarding persons with disabilities. It was only wnen he is already in the airport and got a business class boarding pass that Dana Air remembered that they have a policy not to board persons on a wheelchair whereby denying him the opportunity of meeting up his medical appointment.

Watch video of Dr. Chike Stranded at the Airport while Dana Air staff still insisting that they are doing the right thing

After denying him boarding, Dana Air also went ahead to arrest him for damaging their counter but for the intervention of Rasak Adekoya of Sightsavers, some people at the airport who showed concern of the injustice meted on their fellow individual and stood their ground to ensure that Dana Air do not further humiliate Dr. Chike.

We got a report that he was released around 1pm on Monday from Police station at the airport where he was taken.

By Abdulmumin Murtala – Kano

4,734 People With Disabilities (PWDs) will benefit from the Kano State Government Vulnerable Health Care Scheme.

This was announced by the Executive Secretary, Kano State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (KSCHMA), Dr Halima Muhammad Minjinyawa at the engagement meeting with PWDs on Basic Healthcare Provision Funds in the state.

Mijinyawa said, “Kano State Government established the KSCHMA in 2016 to achieve universal coverage through a sustainable process and leave no one behind policy made the State and for Government to also consider this very important group in the society”.

She explained that the PWDs are going to benefit from the scheme in accordance with their clusters, so as to spread it wide among the beneficiaries

“Each cluster will be given 526 forms which will be shared among the poor and most vulnerable excluding civil servants” she said.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Disability Matters, Tasiu Garko described the policy as timely while he expressed appreciation to the state government.

“On behalf of the PWDs, I wish to express appreciation to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for the timely intervention for People with Disabilities.

“The state government has shown that it always has PWDs in it’s heart and is working towards making their lives better” he stated

He further indicated that his office will work with all relevant stakeholders to make sure the right thing is done.

Also, the Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) commended Kano state government for the Initiative while he called on PWDs to ensure they register and make best use of the opportunity.

The Northwest Zonal Coordinator National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, Bilkisu Ado Zango also appreciated the State Government for the laudable effort towards uplifting the lives of PWDs across the state as well as ensuring that they are not left behind in societal development.

Mrs. Franca Ibanga, a lawyer working with ECOWAS on Saturday in Abuja received an award titled; Inclusive Champion Award from Abuja Association of the Deaf Women Wing in collaboration with AbilityPlus Initiative.

Queen Janet Fasakin while introducing Mrs. Ibanga who is also that Chairperson of ECOWAS court of Justice Women’s Forum, said that she has been so supportive, using her good office to support deaf women financially. The event was successful because of people like her.

Queen Janet also said that Mrs Ibanga also support this year’s event through donation of bags of rice. She has always there for the Assooiation, Our last year’s visit to the orphanage, she supported. When it comes to the issue of Disability, she is ever ready, she never say no in supporting disability issues.