By: Abayomi Adeshida, Abuja

Lack of proper implementation of the pet projects by the wives of the incumbent Nigerian Presidents and lack of due acknowledgement of the potentials of the womenfolk in Nigeria have been identified as the monsters that are to be tacked immediately to lay a solid foundation for a permanent end to the problems of insecurity and meaningful industrialization that would led to the development of the country.

These were contained in a statement issued to mark the 2020 Africa Industrial Day of the United Nations which was signed by the Equal Rights For Persons with Disabilities International, Inc, Houston, Texas and circulated in the media.

In the document, the group, which has been involved in the advocacy for Persons with Disabilities in the United Nations system for over two decades observed that if Nigerian leaders had paid a deserved attention to the details of implementing the documents that were put together to set up the pet projects of the Former First Lady, Hajia Turai Yarádua, her successor, dame Patience Jonathan and the incumbent First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari with due respect for the intellectual content of the ability of women in leadership positions in the country, the legacies of the pet projects would have been passed from one generation to the other.

In what was an endorsement of the general saying that Nigerians are very good at proffering solutions to the problems of humanity on paper without the proper implementation of the the document which was signed by the President of the body, Chief Eric Ufom urged the government at all levels to always “pay attention to the implementation of these documents which were usually prepared meticulously but always lacked implementation.

“We have spent very good tine to study happenings in Nigeria and compared the country with others that were at per with Nigeria many years back and one of our findings is that these pet projects of the Wives of the President are legacies which should have been passed from one generation to another one if well implemented.

“We actively participated in the activities of the pet project by Mrs. Turai Yarádua as the First Lady of Nigeria and .we were able to deliver that world class Cancer Centre Project which has stopped with the structure that is currently wasting on the airport road, Abuja.

“When Mrs, Patience Jonathan became the First Lady, she was a woman who showed compassion to Nigerian women and children and we all saw her efforts at doing everything she could to bring back the girls that were kidnapped at Chibok, Borno State.

“We particularly followed her efforts to fight the discrimination against persons with disabilities, deliberate empowerment of women and youths as well as the bold efforts to confront human trafficking while she was in the office.

“Despite the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari came with a policy that his administration would not recognize the office of the First Lady as he took over the mantle of leadership in 2015, his spouse, Hajia Aisha Buhari got to a very serious work and in 2019, after he won his second term in office, we saw how Hajia Aisha Buhari’s efforts paid off and we now have an office of the First Lady with the assistance of a Presidential aide, Dr. Hajo Sanni to coordinate the affairs officially.

“In all of these, we have observed that these women, who were traditionally expected to take charge of the chores at home are actually the ones who hold the keys to a massive industrialization in Nigeria if we are to avoid a bigger reoccurrence of youths restiveness as we witnessed nationwide during the endsars protests.

“Unfortunately, their excellent visions were no fully implemented due to our Nigeria’s known and recognized man-made barriers placed on women’s initiatives.

“This has made the country to wallow in undeserved poverty for over sixty years and we have taken it upon ourselves to through this recognition, encourage the leaders in the country to start to tap into the hidden potentials of the women in Nigeria so that the entire country can grow together

“When we respect our women and give them their due credit for what they have done, we would get more commitment from them to do more and we would find the answers to debilitating problems in the country.

“In view of the recognition we had for their efforts, we have nominated these three women as the joint recipients maiden Women of Distinction Award, which would henceforth be bestowed on outstanding women who can demonstrate the ability to proffer solutions to the problems of industrialization in Nigeria.

“This recognition is to commemorate the November 20, 2020, which was slated as the Africa Industrialization Day Celebration by the United Nations. Its Theme this years is, 2020; “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization in the AfCFTA era,” and the NEXT LEVEL’s Grassroots Community-Based VILLAGE MOVEMENT to be championed by the Nigerian Women and Youths, in collaborations with Persons with Disabilities

“We have also nominated the First Ladies of Plateau, Anambra & Benue States as worthy recipients of the 21st Century’s 2020 Africa Industrialization Day and 2020/2021 International Women’s day Nigeria’s State First Lady’s, “Women of Distinction Award,”

“The First Ladies of Plateau State, Her Excellency Mrs. Regina Bako Lalong, Anambra State, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano and Benue State, Her Excellent Dr. (Mrs.) Eunice Ortom, are our 21st Century’s 2020 Africa Industrialization Day and 2020/2021 International Women’s day Nigeria’s State First Lady’s, “Women of Distinction Award,” Winners.

“They were selected based on their excellent plans, to localize within their respective states and nationwide, “A New Rural Development Paradigm and the Inclusion and Sustainable New Community Model Inspired by the Saemaul Undong,” Disability and Women Inclusive 21st Century’s Revolutionary grassroots, Community-Based VILLAGE MOVEMENT, Digital Economic Developments, Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM-Education), plus Art (STEAM-Education), computer Coding and robotics starting from kindergarten-primary-secondary and continued adult education schools, including higher institutions, States Silicon Valley, Innovation and Technology.

“However, despite lack of the full implementation of the documents, which was not their faults, they deserved to be encouraged, thanked and honored with Prestigious Women of Distinction Awards for their excellent attempts.

“We believe that through our awards, they would be encouraged to do more for their society and others can also pay attention to the matters hat concern Nigerians in the grassroots, women, children and most importantly, the over thirty-on persons with disabilities who are scattered in every part of the country.

“If the womenfolk are encouraged to champion the massive industrialization of the country from the grassroots, there would be a significant reduction in societal vices that later snowball to all the conflicts that slow down the development of the country.

“The main objective of the African Industrialization Week 2020 is to bring together various stakeholders involved in Industrialization on the Continent. The goal is to raise awareness on the strides made to industrialize Africa, to highlight the various activities being implemented as well as the challenges faced in the efforts to advance structural transformation in Africa.

“The event will also provide an opportunity to share best practices from other parts of the globe that have made advancements in their Industrialization drive including the development of start-ups.

”Due to the ongoing COVID-19, The Women of Distinction Awards giving ceremony has been moved to take place during the month of March, 2021 International Women Day Celebrations and actual date(s), time and place of Awards will be announced in due course.

Vanguard

By YAKUBU UBA

Some Persons With Disabilities (PWD) in Maiduguri, Borno, have lauded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for opening a physical rehabilitation Centre in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the centre opened on Nov. 19 by the ICRC is expected to serve more than 2,000 people in need of prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, crutches and mobility devices by 2022.

A beneficiary of prosthetic leg from the centre, Hanatu Solomon told NAN that the development was a big relief because hitherto she had to travel to Kano three times for the services.

Solomon, who is also a student of University of Maiduguri, said that she was born with deformity and her leg was amputated.

She said the durability of prosthetic leg was two years and she had to travel to Kano for renewal but with a centre now in Maiduguri, she would no longer go that far.

Solomon lauded ICRC, which she said supported her with the free limb which currently cost about N400,000 in the market.

Another beneficiary, Abba Ashigar, who is a 300 level mathematics student of University of Maiduguri, said he lost his leg during a bomb blast in a mosque in Maiduguri.

Ashigar, who expressed appreciation to the donor, said “with the help of ICRC I got this fabricated one in Kano.”

“People with limb problem, particularly victims of insurgency and other calamities or incidents in Borno and nearby states can now get succor from the Centre in Maiduguri.”

Ibrahim Musa, Philibus Danjuma, Tijjani Khalifa and Mary Baba, who spoke separately on the development, said though they were able bodied, they were happy with the setting up of the centre in Maiduguri.

They said they would advise anyone, particularly friends and relatives with disabilities to patronise the centre for free limbs.

According to ICRC report, the centre is financed through the innovative funding mechanism called ” The Humanitarian Impact Bond” created to encourage social investment from the private sector to support the ICRC’s health programmes.

By Abubakar Mumbu

The Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has approved the appointment of Isah Aliyu, a visually impaired person and current Chair, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities ( JONAPWD) Niger State chapter, as Special Assistant to the Governor on “Handicap”.

In a letter signed by the Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, Gov. Bello stated that Aliyu is expected to report to the special adviser, political and strategy who will monitor his activities to ensure his retention of the appointment.

The letter also stated that Isah Aliyu is expected to resume work with immediate effect.

The letter read in part: “I wish to convey approval of the Executive Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, for your appointment as Special Assistant (Handicap). You will report to the Special Adviser (political and strategy) who will monitor your activities to ensure your retention of this appointment. It is expected that you will work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in you by this appointment. The appointment take immediate effect.”

TQM as a disability advocacy magazine who wishes to educate the public on what is appropriate in relation to disability, the use of HANDICAP by the governor and the government of Niger State is derogatory and discriminatory, even though they have good intention and we commend their effort, the choice of word is wrong, we sincerely advise that they change it to more respectful words like DISABILITY MATTERS.

by Jemilat Nasiru

The Institute for Media and Society (IMS) has called for more conscious efforts towards the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria’s electoral process.

IMS made the call on Tuesday during a webinar held in collaboration with The Albino Foundation (TAF) and the International Press Centre (IPC).

Speaking during the event themed ‘Focusing Journalism on Catalysing Disability-Inclusive Electoral Process in Nigeria’, Jake Epelle, executive director of TAF, said Nigeria’s electoral processes should not be termed free and fair without adequate inclusion of all sectors of the country’s population.

Jake said over the years, disability-focused organisations have taken extra steps to provide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with data to make provisions for PWDs during elections, but such information was not used.

He also faulted journalists and media organisations for failing to project the challenges encountered by PWDs before, during and after elections, and proposed that a network of “Journalists for Disability” should be established.

“Every time we talk about free and fair elections, it is incomplete without inclusion. There are capacity and legal gaps. It is not enough for elections to be free and fair, they should be inclusive,” Epelle said.

Also speaking, Lanre Arogundade, executive director of the IPC, said an estimated 20 million Nigerians — 10 percent of Nigeria’s population have a disability.

He cited the example of the current use of ballot papers to vote, which he said makes it difficult for visually-impaired voters “due to limited numbers of braille ballots”.

Arogundade, therefore, called on INEC to ensure there is legal backing in the electoral act that will see to adequate preparations to ease participation in elections for PWDs.

By Loveth Obiora,

Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC) on Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th November , 2020 in Abuja organized a three day training workshop on disability inclusive service delivery for healthcare service providers, as part of activities under her “making it work” project funded by Oxfam Voice Nigeria.

The executive director, DRAC Dr. Irene Ojiugo Patrick-Ogbogu in her opening speech appreciated the health workers in attendance. She emphasized that Persons With Disabilities(PWDs) are an integral part of the society so it is important to understand the challenges they face in the society especially in health care services, and when they can’t access those services it becomes discrimination. She also said that just as disabilities are diverse, so also are the challenges they experience, for instance, the experience of a blind woman trying to access healthcare will be quite different from that of a deaf girl; this is why DRAC is working with service providers to understand the challenges PWDs face especially women and girls because they are most neglected and face multiple challenges in the entire healthcare continuum.

Speaking further, she said that the three day training workshop, they would be looking at the concept of disability inclusion and disability inclusive service delivery, how it should be practiced and the role of service providers in ensuring that PWDs especially women and girls comprehensive access to healthcare services.
Dr.C.C Ugboko from Federal Ministry of Health in his goodwill message appreciated DRAC, the health workers. He said that being in the workshop was for fulfilling his role as a health worker and the duty he owes PWDs. He stated that UN convention on rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD) recognized that every member country should put in place policies that will enhance health care service delivery for PWDs especially women and girls. This prompted the Federal Ministry of Health in 2017 to work with DRAC to develop the national policy on sexual and reproductive health rights for PWDs with emphasis on women and girls. The policy has enjoyed wide dissemination even down to state levels and was optimistic that this training would help in disseminating the policy as well as the knowledge they would gain. He stated that the Federal ministry of health is looking forward to continued collaboration with DRAC and other civil society organizations in providing technical aid so that issues of PWDs would be properly taken care of.

The Executive Secretary of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Mr. James Lalu in his goodwill message appreciated the health workers and informed them that the program is important for PWDs because health is wealth. He urged them to see a PWD as a person and not the disability in them. He also said that inclusion start from the heart because the attitude of the health workers makes it impossible for most PWDs to access the health care services. He informed them that PWDs have been experiencing challenges in the society and he expressed hope that at the end of the training, the health sector will embark on training of health workers in urban and rural communities in order to extend the education to other health workers in matters affecting PWDs.

Other goodwill messages came from the Executive Secretary Health and Human Services secretariat, the General manager Hospitals Management Board and the Director, FCT Primary Healthcare development Agency.

The Executive Director, DRAC Dr. Irene during her technical presentations, outlined the definition of disability where she differentiated between impairment and disability; she also used case studies to buttress the learning points. She further spoke about the types of disability, statistics, models, barriers and legal frameworks and some states that have passed the disability law, appropriate terminologies /etiquette and National Policy on Sexual and Reproductive health right of persons with disabilities with emphasis on women and girls.

On the second day of the workshop, participants were taken through the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls with disabilities, the challenges of women and girls with disabilities in the society, understanding the meaning of disability inclusion, disability inclusive service delivery (DISD), the key element of DISD, practical approaches to DISD and the roles of DISD. Participants also role-played scenarios on how to make their services disability inclusive.

Finally, on day three, participants were grouped into 3 groups to work on practical ideas for improving health service delivery for PWDs especially women and girls with disabilities. The ideas were judged on the 2 criteria of simplicity and ease of implementation. Group 2 won with an idea titled “Establishment of disability inclusive service delivery in Nyanya general hospital”. This group was able to meet the criteria and got the highest number of votes which won them a modification fund of 1.5 million naira to help implement their ideas for making their facility a model disability inclusive healthcare facility. The idea is expected to be executed between December 2020 to March 2021.
In closing participants vowed to take the message down to their facilities and collaborate with DRAC to make their services inclusive.

Participants at the training included doctors and nurses from the SRHR units of general hospitals and primary healthcare centers across the six area councils of FCT.

Some pictures of the event:

TQM reprort

Comrade Ebose Henry Jp, the immediate past Chairman Edo State JONAPWD have congratulated Comrade Ann Ojugo for stepping into his shoes and he said that he have great confidence in her because he believes that she can steer the ship to the promise land.

He also congratulated all other contestants especially those that were victorious who formed the new Excos and also to those who didn’t make it.

“There are more days, more years and more opportunities to come. It is a win win for us all, I wish us success all the way” he said.

In a statement sent to TQM signed by him, he used the medium to formally thank all who contributed in one way or the other to the Success of Saturday 21st November, 2020 Edo state chapter of JONAPWD General Elections. Particularly to Mr Omoike Emmanue, for the resolute stance in piloting the conduct of the Elections along with other members of electoral committee; the South South coordinator of JONAPWD for his assistance in making sure that things went the right way, the candidates for their peaceful postures and sportsmanly shows and the delegates for their determination to making the change happen ; the various observer groups and organisations.

“We hope and pray that all this will culminate into a bigger, stronger, United and prosperous JONAPWD of our dream” he said.

“To the outgone Excos, thank you for how much you have put in this far and for the support given to me thus far . It is not time for retirement yet , but a more opportunity to give our supports to the new Excos and the house to attain our desired JONAPWD, Once again thank you all” he concluded.

TQM report,

Institute of Certified Church Mediators And Administration(ICMA) in their 2nd IMCA fellowship of reconciliation mediation Seminar and 4 ICMA Direct Membership Induction Exercise on Saturday in Ibadan conferred on Prince Paul Adelabu Honorary award of PhD in Christian social work.

Below is the list of those who were honoured at the event:

A- LIFE FELLOW (FICMA)-
1-Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu jp, Grand Patron
2- Pastor Benjamin O Akanmu jp, Chairman of the occasion
3-Mrs Ebun Edna Olugbohunmi cp, Vice President
4- Prince Paul Ayoade Adelabu, a PhD in Christian Social works, hon Awardee, Vice Chairman, ICMA, GB

B-FELLOW, (renewable membership)
1-Chief(Dr) Tunji Adio jp, GB member
2-Pastor Isaiah Olusayo Ojo in USA PhD Peace and Chaplaincy Missions hon awardee.
3-Chief (Dr) Tunji Adio jp, GB member
4- Mrs Elizabeth Ojo, in USA, PhD Peace & Chaplaincy Missions, hon award.
5-Bishop Dr Taiwo Akanbi

C-SENIOR MEMBER
1-Revd Stephen Olujide Shittu jp, ap,
2- Pastor Sunghani Dinner Nkhoma, S/Africa,
3-Revd Dr Jimi Mike Akinboboye jp, cp, Registrar, 2017
4-Pastor Dr Jelili Odebode

C-PhD honouraris causa-
1-Prince Paul Ayoade Adelabu, Christian Social works
2-Pastor Isaiah Olusayo Ojo, U.S.A, Peace and Chaplaincy Missions
3-Mrs Elizabeth Ojo, U.S.A, Peace and Chaplaincy Missions.

C- PhD academics
1-Revd (Dr) Elisha Maghere Nehemia, Kenya, in Peace and Chaplaincy Missions

Prince Paul Adelabu is a person with disability, he was the President of Joint National Association of Persons with disabilities, and current the chairman Board of Trustees in the same association.

“The award is in appreciation of my over 30 years of Humanitarian activities for special people in the society covering vocational & rehabilitation services, employment opportunities, empowerment, initiated and founded an umbrella organization called JONAPWD” he said.

In a statement he sent to us, he advised that he should be addressed as Dr. Prince Paul Adelabu henceforth.

For us in TQM, we congratulate you for the new height you have attain and we wish you better days ahead. We urge you to use your new position to affect positive the lives of less privileged people especially those with disabilities.

Some of his pictures at the event: