No fewer than 78,000 people in Bauchi State have so far benefitted from the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs).
The Chief of Staff to the Governor of Bauchi State, Dr Ladan Salihu, who expressed delight on the development during an interview, described the ongoing Rural Women’s Cash Transfer Program in Bauchi state as life-saving and life-touching.
Dr Salihu observed that the rural women in their entirety that have benefited from the programmes are very crafty and creative in managing little resources and building upon the same to get out of poverty.
“I am convinced that this program will achieve the desired objectives with the kind of beneficiaries that I have seen in Bauchi State. Let me tell you about one thing that I have taken away from this program.
“When I was carrying out a routine check before the honourable Minister arrived, there were more than 1,200 women waiting and outside. I saw about 50 other women who were not ordinarily registered or captured. I said they should just be given a chance to walk in.
“Some of the women with all forms of disabilities were allowed in. To my pleasant surprise, when I came in, I saw the same number of people that I saw outside. They were admitted, their names were taken and they have now become beneficiaries.”
He also congratulated Mr President and the Minister for this very important life-saving, life-touching and life-enhancing project, as well as the former Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), for the success recorded in the selection process.
“I am very impressed with the preparations, logistics and the entire mode of operation and meticulous execution of the distribution pattern which is full proof. I participated in the distribution and I can tell you that from what I have seen, I am convinced beyond any iota of doubt that the objectives of this program are being carefully, meticulously and creditably articulated and executed.
According to the Special Adviser to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Social Development and Disaster Management, Mrs Nneka Anibeze, no fewer than 4,000 women in 20 Local Government Councils in Bauchi State are to receive the one-off grant of N20,000 each which is a program designed by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to lift the vulnerable out of poverty.
A polio survivor in Jos, Makop Dan, has appealed to the Plateau Government to provide free education and scholarship for Persons With Disabilities in the state, from primary to tertiary level.
Dan, a part-time lecturer with the Plateau State Polytechnic and a PhD student with the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Jos.
According to him, such gesture will enable them to access to proper and quality education that will in turn make them more useful to themselves and the society.
He said that majority of PWDs in the state lacked the resources and wherewithal to sponsor their education, hence the need for government to intervene.
“I am calling on Plateau Government to give free education and scholarships to PWDs, so that those who can’t sponsor themselves, can have access to quality education.
“This will in no small measure give the PWDs a sense of belonging and will further lead to the growth and development of the state,’’ the lecturer said.
He also urged the government to give special consideration to such category of people who possessed the requisite qualifications, during employment, lamenting that many PWDs whom were graduates still roamed the street without jobs.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has called on the Federal Government to consider the creation of a special ministry to cater for the well-being of citizens with disabilities.
Describing them as the most neglected in Nigeria, Bamidele said effort should be made to explore the latent talent deposited in them for the benefit of all.
Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central in the National Assembly, said this in Ado-Ekiti, on Monday, during an empowerment programme he organised for 500 persons with disabilities, women and youths in his constituency.
The beneficiaries, who received a weeklong training and empowered with cash, sewing machines, hairdryer and exposed to business and entrepreneurial opportunities, were drawn from Ado, Efon, Ijero, Ekiti West and Irepodun/Ifelodun local government areas that constitute the senatorial district.
Bamidele stated that his “Bringing out Abilities in Disabilities” programme for the deaf, blind, persons with albinism and persons with physical disabilities, was conceptualised to make lives better for those in this category in terms of economic independence.
His words: “In Nigeria, those in this category are the most neglected. They are being downgraded, neglected and despised in terms of job opportunities, political appointments and other considerations.
“Not until the recent time, the government has no special policy favouring them. They are not being considered for political positions and even favourable education policy was not there to give them a sense of belonging. “Another area that had added more to their sufferings was the fact that some of them had resigned to fate.
“They had this warped and twisted impression that being person with disability has hampered their destiny. This was wrong and we have to encourage you to rise above this pedestrian thinking.
“We are hopeful that now that your issues are being taken care of in terms of the electoral system, appointments, employments and others, your sufferings will get alleviated gradually.
“But it would still be apposite and go a long way to make you more relevant and useful to our dear nation if the governments can establish a special ministry to cater for your needs.
“If we can have Ministry of Youth and Ministry of Women Affairs, it is not implausible for the federal government to create this ministry to have special and dedicated focus on the wellbeing of citizens with disabilities.”
Appraising the impact of the empowerment on members, Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Mr. Kayode Owolabi, disclosed that it would help tremendously in alleviating the pervasive poverty among their ranks.
MTN Foundation has awarded scholarships to 360 university students at a virtual ceremony on November 12, 2020. The scholarships were awarded under the MTNF scholarship schemes made up of the MTNF Science & Technology Scholarship (STSS) and Scholarship for the Blind Students (SBSS). In attendance were the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, represented by the Technical Assistant, Dr. Olufemi Adeluyi; Honourable Minister of Science & Technology represented by the Acting Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Dr. Francis Chizea; former Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson amongst other notable dignitaries.
Speaking at the ceremony, the representative of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Olufemi Adeluyi said: “We are here with the MTN Foundation to celebrate scholars that have excelled in school. MTN is also supporting people with disabilities by funding their education and this is very commendable. The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is constantly working towards elevating skills over degrees. We are also committed to ensuring that individuals are empowered with the right tools and skills.”
Also speaking, Honourable Minister of Science & Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu represented by Dr. Francis Chizea said: “I am glad that MTN, in giving back to the society through its foundation, set up a scholarship scheme to empower the youths and as well, drive science and technology. This is a welcome development and a commendable effort that other organizations need to emulate.”
A major highlight of the ceremony was a fireside chat themed “Insight. Influence. Impact” with thought leaders sharing inspiring insights with the scholars. Nigeria’s former Minister for Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson reiterated the role MTN continues to play in the ICT space and its impact on the country. “We need to get a workforce that is very comfortable with technology. We are in a state where we need world-class educational institutions and interventions such as this that will enable students to be very vast in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” Johnson said.
Leading to the ceremony, this year’s graduating students from the scholarship programme were hosted to a career incubation boot camp facilitated by experts from Google, Oracle, Cisco and Jobberman. Facilitators shared insights on various opportunities amongst other vital employability tips.
Speaking on the scholarship award ceremony and workshop for graduands, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma said, “Providing access to quality education is the first step to a world of opportunity for the youth of our nation. We know it does not stop there. We need to also ensure that they are adequately prepared for the workplace. We hope that the fireside chat at the award ceremony will inspire the students to reach for greatness and innovation. Furthermore, it is our belief that the employability workshop held earlier will enrich the career path of the graduating students. The MTNF scholarship scheme is more than just funds; it is a commitment to build the capacity of our youth. We wish all our graduating scholars success as they set out to take on the world and congratulate all awardees as the next set of young nation builders in the making.”
The newly awarded scholars will each enjoy a scholarship grant worth N200,000 annually till graduation as long as they maintain a CGPA of 3.5 or its equivalent. The scholarship covers tuition, book allowance and stipend. Till date, MTN Foundation has awarded scholarships to 3,829 students valued at over NGN 2.1Billion.
The MTNF annual scholarships are awarded to high performing students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions.
About MTN Nigeria MTN Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest providers of communications services, connecting over 75 million people in communities across the country with each other and the world. Guided by a vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world, MTN Nigeria’s leadership position in coverage, capacity and innovation has remained constant, since its launch in 2001. MTN Nigeria is part of the MTN Group – a leading emerging market operator, connecting more than 250 million subscribers in 21 countries in Africa and the Middle East. To learn more about MTN Nigeria and its various initiatives, visit www.mtnonline.com
For more information, please contact us Phone: Funso Aina on +234 (0) 803 200 4168 Email: mediaenquiries.NG@mtn.com
As the world is battling with the menace of the Covid-19 disease pandemic, Kogi State is contending with the outbreak of another health challenges.
An informed source has revealed that twenty new cases of leprosy have been recorded in the State in the last ten months.
The revelation was made by Mrs Hannah Fashola, the state program officer, Leprosy Mission Nigeria, LMN at a news briefing in Lokoja on Monday. The group was part of Covid-19 response palliatives distribution for communities of persons affected by leprosy and disabilities in Kogi State.
Fashona who noted that the organization is determined to wipe out the disease in Nigeria, added that the state referrer center located in Ochadamu in Ofu Local Government Area, LGA had succeeded in treating some patients affected by the disease.
According to her, it is on record that due to fear and lack of knowledge, over 3 million people across the world are living with undiagnosed leprosy and every day the disease causes more damage to their health, livelihood and future.R
The LMN program officer added that more than 600 people are diagnosed of leprosy in the world daily adding that over 50 of these are children.
She explained further that Leprosy Mission is embarking on daily research to achieve zero leprosy in the world.
Fashona however faulted the claim of the Federal Government that Nigeria has attained zero elimination campaign of leprosy.
“The issue in Nigeria is not only limited to leprosy alone. The Federal Ministry of Health recently said they have recorded zero elimination campaign of leprosy, whereas, day in day out, we record new cases of which children are largely involved.
“Some of these patients don’t come when it is early, they come when it is either grade one or grade two disabilities. They must have gone round the whole herbalist before somebody will refer them to our referrer centre in Ochadamu for them to get solution. The Federal Government has to come in to achieve that zero elimination campaign and should not be by lip service”.R
Through raising awareness, prevention, treatment and follow-up, she noted that LMN will continue to support people so that they can leave normal lives among their pears in the society.
On why Leprosy Mission Nigeria in collaboration with TBF Thompson Foundation were distributing palliatives to persons affected with leprosy and disabilities, Fashona maintained that Covid-19 pandemic has affected so many lives in the world including the rich, poor and the less privileged.
She said the palliatives will be distributed to the most vulnerable persons of leprosy and people living with disabilities in Kogi State.
”If this pandemic could cripple businesses, nations across the world, how much of this people of this caliber. It is obvious that their own situation will be terrible. This is why the Leprosy Mission decided to come up with this to cushion the effect of outbreak of corona virus.R
”As I speak to you, over 80 households across the three senatorial districts will benefit from these palliatives. This will go a long way at reducing hunger in the land” She averred.
Receiving the palliatives on behalf of the Kogi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs Hajia Fatima Buba who was represented by a Director of the ministry Mrs Adegbola Elizabeth Fumilayo thanked the donors for the kind gesture just as she tasked the beneficiaries to always remember them in prayers.
Not fewer than 200 patients including children with different ear and hearing problems have been treated and rescued from developing deafness through medical interventions by a charitable group, Suleiman Hearing and Educational Foundation.
The Foundation’s Director, Hearing Mission, Dr. Abdulmajid Suleiman disclosed this while carrying out a medical outreach in collaboration with the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist hospital in Kano over the weekend.
Dr. Suleiman said the 200 patients were out of the over 1,500 patients who beseiged the facility from neighbouring states to benefit from the medical outreach.
He further said the target of the foundation was to reach out to 5,000 patients but was constrained due to it resources challenges.
According to him, “In line with our mission to within five years support 5,000 Nigerians with hearing disability, Suleiman Hearing and Educational Foundation in partnership with Muhamadu Buhari Specialist Hospital Kano conducted the first ear camp for the people of Kano State and others who came from neighbouring states.
“The outreach is a one day camp. To this end, more than 1,500 patients were grouped and screened. 200 were given interventions which include hearing aids, ear clinical procedures and free drugs.
“Others were given future appointments depending on when we have resources to support them.
“And among them 300 patients require hearing aids, 50 patients require Tympanoplasty surgery to correct their hearing loss and 12 children require cochlear implantation.
“The foundation appeal to well meaning Nigerians to support our course of reducing people living with deafness in Nigeria,” Dr. Suleiman said.
Earlier, the Acting Medical Director, Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Dr. Jamila Muu’ta commended the group for the gesture which she said will go a long way to alleviate the suffering of the people.
The Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, on Wednesday met with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Children and Women Affairs, Dr. Dan Ezeanwu, on the need for implementation of the Anambra State Disability Rights Law, 2018.
The group also made strong appeal for construction of ramps within the Ministry, provision of annual subvention for the association, observance of World Disability Day, amongst other demands.
With the group was the Treasurer and State Chairman, Nigerian National Association of the Deaf, Mr. Amobi Nwagwu, who decried the harassment of some deaf women due to lack of exposure and communication barrier, and appealed for training of the Ministry’s staff members on basic sign language communication and disability etiquettes. He also appealed for the continuous release of JONAPWD’s subventions which the association uses to solve its various needs.
The association’s Program Officer, Miss Nwanokwara Ncheta, also seized the opportunity to ask waivers for the registration of Anambra State Women With Disabilities (ASWWD) as an NGO in the Ministry.
Also speaking, Miss Victoria Okonkwo and Miss Elizabeth Ikele respectively, conveyed the displeasure of many Persons with Disabilities in the State over the non-commemoration of annual World Disability Day in the State for some years running. They appealed for observance of the 2020 celebration in other to give PWDs in the State a sense of belonging.
Comr. Ugochukwu Okeke also called for construction of ramps in the Utility Hall within the Ministry and other government infrastructures, as he utilized the occasion to relay most of the association’s activities to the Permanent Secretary.
In his response, Dr. Dan Ezeanwu described the issues raised as legitimate demands which should be looked into. He promised to discuss with the Chairman concerning the subvention and setting up of the Disabilities Rights Commission which would oversee full implementation of the Law, adding that the Ministry would look into the issues raised to the best of their ability.
High point of the visit was the presentation of a copy each, of the advocacy brief and the Disabilities Rights Law by the JONAPWD Chairman to the Permanent Secretary.
Jemya Funturu is a 16 years old girl with physical disability, (she cannot properly use her legs, and her hands). She was born like that, her mother was also having this kind of disability, but she is dead now. She is the only child of her mother.
She is from Mobudi town, in Langtang South local government area
of Plateau state.
She shared her story with TQM team(Bulus Bala izang and Joshua Yenle) and her story is touching and deserving an immediate intervention.
TQM. Were you
privileged to go to school?
I finished my primary school, but could not go to secondary
school, because, the nearest secondary school is too far for me to go, l don’t
have mobility aid.
TQM. But, can your
father afford to pay for the schooling?
No, but, l am hoping my Mother would have the money to pay
for my school fees.
TQM. But, you just
said, your mother is dead?
Yes, my aunty that l am now staying with, she is my mother now.
She has been providing things for me.
TQM. What about your
father?
My father is alive, l have not been seeing much of him, he
does care much about me and he have not been providing things for me.
TQM. Is your father
married to another woman?
Yes.
TQM. Does the wife,
your step mother, care for you?
No.
TQM. Who have been
providing you with food, clothes and other things that you need?
My aunty that is now my mother
TQM. What kind of
work does your mother (aunty) do?
She buys meat, cook it and then sell.
TQM. Now that you are
at home, are doing anything?
No, l am not doing
anything.
TQM. But wouldn’t you
like to do, or learn something?
Would like to be buying and selling Chin-Chin.
TQM. Have you ever
received any assistance from anybody or the government?
Yes, we were once take to Pankshin local government, and
some food items and clothes was given to us.
TQM. What request
would like to make to the government or anybody that would like to help you?
I just want someone who can take me to school, so that in
the future, l can take of myself. That is my appeal.
TQM. You cannot make
use your legs and your hands effectively, have children outside or other people
make fun of you?
No, they don’t. I don’t use to go out, so children don’t get
to see much of me. And the children l am with, are members of the household,
they don’t do such things to me, we are a family.
TQM. When you were in
primary school or when you were going out, how do you get to where you want to
go?
There is a cart that my people used to collect to push me in
it.
TQM. You don’t have a
tricycle or a wheelchair for your movement?
Yes, l don’t have, we only make use of the cart l told you
about.
TQM. Thank you Jemya,
for sharing you story with us.
We pray you will have someone who will take to you school. Amen
THE counsel for Adebayo Akinola, a 39-year-old alleged rapist, Queen Nkiri, on Friday, told the presiding Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara, that her client, Akinola is not mentally stable.
Akinola was arraigned before Osun State Magistrate Court sitting in Osogbo on two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and taking undue advantage of a 16-year-old girl.
The Police Prosecutor, John Idoko, informed the Chief Magistrate that Akinola on November 5, 2020, around 6:30pm at Ataoja Estate unlawfully had sexual intercourse with a minor and took undue advantage of her mental and physical condition.
He noted that the offence committed is contrary to Section 31(1)(2) and 32 of the Child’s Rights Laws of Osun State 2007.
However, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the two counts preferred against him by the police.
The counsel for the accused, Nkiri, made an oral bail application for the accused stressing that, “The accused person is mentally unstable and the mother of the accused person made us know that. We, hereby, apply for his bail on the most liberal term. The defendant has a reliable surety.”
The police opposed the oral bail application made by the defence counsel and the Chief Magistrate, Ayilara, ordered that the accused person be remanded at the Ilesha Correctional Centre.
Ayilara adjourned the case to December 9, 2020, for ruling on the defendant’s bail application.
The Qualitative Magazine with support from Oxfam Voice Nigeria on Tuesday 10th November, 2020 organized a one day capacity building workshop for persons with disabilities in Plateau state on Disability Rights with the theme ( the need for persons with disabilities to know their rights and how to report rights violation).
In his opening address, the Executive Director, The Qualitative Magazine, Mr. Chris Agbo Obiora, welcomed all the participants which includes members of various cluster groups that constitutes persons with disabilities community on the Plateau. The workshop which is aimed at educating participants on the rights of persons with disabilities on the Plateau as it contains in various laws nationally and internationally levels.
Chris Agbo, the Executive Director, The Qualitative Magazine
The workshop is part of The Qualitative Magazine “Connecting Our Voices to the World Project being supported by Voice Nigeria. Mr. Chris wished the participants a fruitful out come at the workshop.
The first resource person at the workshop, Barr. Yusuf Iyodo, a person with physical disability and the director, Media and Publicity, Association of Lawyers with Disabilities (ALDIN) in his paper with the titled “Relevant Laws on Disability, Knowing your Rights as a Person with Disability and the need to advocate for your Right”
Barr. Yusuf Iyodo facilitating
On the relevant laws , Barr. Iyodo said that authorities at various levels both International and National have put in place laws that recognized and protect the rights of persons with disabilities , covering as much as possible all aspect of human lives.
At the international level, he mentioned the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). He said that the convention promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedom by all persons with disabilities, and respect for their inherent dignity. The convention touched areas such as:,
Women with disabilities
Children with disabilities
Accessibility
Right to life
Equal recognition before the law
Freedom from exploitation, violence and Abuse
Education
participation in political and public life
Work and employment
Health
personal mobility
living Independently and being included in the community.
Freedom of expression and opinion
Access to information, among others ,are put in place to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities.
He also viewed another law at the international level that is protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, which is the region law of Africa (The African Disability Protocol). This law incorporates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The facilitator said that in Nigeria, we have similar laws at the national and states levels
The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 at the national level is an act that provides for the full integration of persons with disabilities into the society, ensuring that a person with disability shall not be Discriminated against on the ground of his/her disability by any manner or circumstance.
At the state level, the Plateau state Disability Law is the first in the country as well as the first to establish a Disability Right Commission to guide and protect these rights of persons with disabilities.
He stated that the Plateau state Disability law is the most detailed and more clear law, even more detailed than the National law.
All these laws recognized that the Discrimination against any person on the basis of his/her Disability is a violation of the inherent dignity worth of the human person, he added.
He asked “with all these laws put in place”, what is the persons with disabilities doing to ensure that , they do not just remain laws gathering dust at the shelves, but become a practical exercise in their lives.
He stressed the fact that for the laws to be fully operational, it is dependent on the persons with disabilities themselves.
They have to exercise actively these laws daily, for the rest of the society to also come to terms with these laws daily.
For example. = Where there is a queue, the law provides that a person with disability shall be attended to first. Unless and until the persons with disabilities take this law and act on it, the society may find it difficult to adjust to them. = You must act on your right to have access to Physical structures, Information , Transportation, Health care, Justice, etc. = Where employment is done and at least 5% is not given to persons with disabilities, demand for your rightful 5% place of employment. = protecting the integrity of the person. The laws provide this for you but until you demonstrate it , the community or society may be slow to implement it in your favour.
The persons with disabilities must ensure that the society comply with these laws.
Barr. Iyodo said that laws are made to be obeyed and followed. The persons with disabilities should be able to push for their rights to be their rights. Don’t remain or suffer in silence(break the silence), talk and act through this, and the community that is ignorant of your rights, will gradually become conscious of the rights of persons with disabilities.
He charged the community of Persons with Disabilities to take the responsibility to advocate for issues concerning themselves to the various segments of the society for a better synergy.
The Disability community need to device means of bringing other professionals from different fields to their meetings, such as Teachers, Health professionals, lawyers, politicians, security personals, Heads of civil and public servants, Media people, Building engineers, Transporters, Architects, Clergymen, Civil societies Traditional rulers, community opinion leaders, market men and women, etc, so that they would have a first hand information on the experience of the persons with disabilities as stakeholders understand the roles and responsibilities on the the rights of persons with disabilities.
Cross section of the participants with the latest publication of TQM publication sponsored by Voice Nigeria
The second resource person at the workshop. Mr. Joshua Yenle, a visual impaired person, a radio producer and presenter with Radio Nigeria, Highland FM, Jos. In his paper titled, Use of Mass Media in advocating for Disability rights in Plateau state, Mr. Yenle said that the mass media as the forth realm of the government is also a creation of the law, and as such operations within the confined of the law. The media as a mouth piece of the society and an agent of change, it will only work for you ,if you decided to make use of it.
What makes the Mass media to work for you is your ability to present your case in a manner that it will make sense to others not your ability to abuse anybody.
The Mass Media is use to influence the society to behave in a particular desired way by an effective user. So when the persons with disabilities on the Plateau, and indeed Nigeria decide to make use of the mass media effectively, they will drive home their goals of enjoying the rights which have been given to them by the law.
He gave examples of two mass media that are Disability friendly, Radio Nigeria, Highland FM Jos has a program called “society for all” specially designed for persons with disabilities, the only Radio station, he knows, for now to be doing that on the Plateau.
The second mass media, he mentioned, is The Qualitative Magazine, the magazine that is wholly tailored for Disability matters. Currently, the magazine with the support of the Voice Nigeria, is taking a tour of all the local government areas of Plateau state, to give voice to persons with disabilities in those areas.
Unfortunately, government at various levels spend so much money, the tax payers money, your money, the persons with disabilities money, to keep the various mass media running, but yet, the persons with disabilities are refusing to put these effective agent of to change into use, to correct their not so good situation around.
Mr. Yenle, call on the community of Persons with Disabilities on the Plateau to take deliberate steps to changed their negative attitude towards the mass media, if they really want to enjoy those rights that have been given by the various authorities.
Mr. Yenle at the workshop try to give some possible reason, why persons with disabilities don’t make effective use of the mass media. they include,
*Fear. Fear make persons with disabilities not to make input in the mass media, the fear of being label as anti society or anti government. But this fear should not be there , the law is the source of our rights, and what we are saying is ,give us these rights. We should not show Fear in this aspects.
lost of confidence in a system or in oneself. Some may have been contributing in the passed, but because, change appeared not to be happening, they become discouraged. While, some is just the simple act of self belittlement, they may be thinking, what difference can a person like me bring?
Greed. Some persons or clusters with disabilities only speak out in issues that affected them directly, if they or their cluster don’t stand to gain any thing, they don’t make any input in such issues.
*Pride. Some will not want to be associated with anything disability, even though they are persons with disabilities. these are some reasons among many.
You that is reading this , what reason or reasons, is keeping you from speaking out for the rights of persons with disabilities? Could it be any of the above mentioned reasons?
Mr. Yenle, then put a call to persons with disabilities to:
call or write to mass media, making contributions. call or write in to mass media, to make their experienced discrimination known. call or write in to mass media in responses on issues affecting Disability.
The two presentation of the resources persons, have sessions of Questions and Answers.
At the end, the participants, all agreed to go back home and break the silence and stand up for the rights of persons with disabilities in Plateau state, as well as, to stepping down what they have learned at the workshop.
Mr. John Satmak Emmanuel, a physically Challenge person, was presented a tricycle, donated by Rev. Georgia Ugah from Enugu, as a response to his need of a wheelchair, his story was carried by The Qualitative Magazine. Mr. John Satmak Emmanuel, expressed gratitude to God and to Rev. Georgia Uga for the kind deed shown to him.
Mr. John Satmak Emmanuel collected his tricycle donated to him by Rev. Georgia Ugah
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director of The Qualitative Magazine, Mr. Chris Agbo Obiora rxpressed his appreciation to the people of Plateau state especially, the community of persons with disabilities for their support in various ways being enjoyed by the magazines project of connecting our voices to the world.
He equally thanked Voice Nigeria for their support.
Mr. Chris charged persons with disabilities on the Plateau and in Nigeria as a whole, to break the silence and speak out for and on issues concerning persons with disabilities.
“The participants should go home with the mindset that we have had a workshop that would served as a landmark for greater things to happened” he added.
To women with disabilities, he said, The Qualitative Magazine will continue to give them more coverage, because of the kind of challenges they are facing, calling on them to step down what they have learned in the workshop, saying that it is deliberate that more women were invited to the workshop because of the need to have more women with disabilities speaking up because they suffer more discrimination than their male counterpart.
