Association of Applicants/workers with disability in Nigeria has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing a National Commission of Persons with Disabilities.
In press statement sent to The Qualitative Magazine (TQM) signed by the secretary of the group, Yakubu Bilkisu, they were thankful to Mr. President setting up the disability commission by appointing the members of the governing board of the commission and the Executive Secretary.
They described the action as a sigh of a new leave for persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.
The association through their The President, GODSTIME Onyegbulam called on the appointees to try their best to be transparent in affairs of the commission so that the aim of setting up the commission will not be dashed.
Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development on Monday hosted in her office the Chairman of the Board, Dr Hussaini Kangiwa and the Executive Secretary, Hon. James Lalu.
This was disclosed via a tweet today Tuesday from the minister official tweet handle tweeted:
HM@Sadiya_farouq yesterday received the Chairman and Secretary of the recently approved executive members of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
The details of their discussion have not been released.
John Satmak Emmanuel, a person with physical disability,
acquired disability at age of three years as a result of polio. He who hails from Pankshin Local Government of
Plateau state lost his father at a tender age. He has two sisters and a
brother. After his father demise, the mother took the responsibility of taking
care of them from a petty trading.
In this interview conducted by our correspondent in Jos, Bulus Baba, who got him to discuss about his struggles.
John Satmak attending to a customer
TQM: What are you doing now?
I am an apprentice, learning how to repair handsets.
TQM. For how long
have you been doing this?
This is my third year. I started with Oga Godwin. Last year,
he introduced me to his brother Oga Joseph. That is where I am now.
TQM: You said, you
have been learning this work for three years now, where you doing something
before?
Yes, I was in school.
TQM: Can you tell a
little about your educational life?
I started my primary school in Mangu local Government of
Plateau state when I was about nine years. For my first year in school, my
mother and other relations, will carry me on they back to and school. It was in
the second year of my primary school, that a Tricycle was bought for me. That marked the time where I started going to
school by myself.
After primary school, I went to Israel Victory College mile
eight in Pankshin Local Government of Plateau state. From there, I proceeded to
Baptist High school Parsat, still in Pankshin where I completed my secondary
school Education.
After that, I stayed at home for some time not knowing what
to do next.
It was at this stage, that the Church where I worship came to my rescue, after discussion with them, they took me to my first Oga, Oga Godwin to learn how to repair handsets, which I am now doing for about three years now.
John Satmak crawling pass a barrier in front his master’s workshop
TQM: After you finish
handset learning, what would you do next?
I will open my own repair shop, make money and build a
house, then I will marry.
TQM: I hope when the
time for you to get marry, you will remember to invite Qualitative Magazine to
come and celebrate with you?
(He smiles)
TQM. After all these,
what next?
Nothing much.
TQM: You don’t want
to go back to again school?
No, even when I was in primary and secondary school, my
prayers just learn how to read and write. We don’t have money, so I have never
dream of going beyond learning how to read and write.
TQM: You said
earlier, the Church where you worship came to your rescue, how do access the
Church to worship?
I don’t have problem with that, I go into the Church on my
Tricycle.
TQM: What about other
places, Like government offices, business centers, etc. Do you also enter such
places on you Tricycle?
I don’t go too far places like that.
TQM: Why do you not
go to such places?
Because, I have to go there by Taxi or bus, and to do that, I will have to be carried into and out of the Taxi or Bus. And Sometimes, they don’t want to carry my Tricycle.
John Satmak working happily in their workshp
TQM: Are You a member
of organization of persons with disabilities? If yes, do go for their meetings?
No. I am not a member.
TQM: You don’t want
to be part of them?
I would like to be part of them, but I don’t know where they
are.
TQM: How do you get
your Tricycle?
The first one my mother bought it for me, while the second
one was given to me free, I was taken to a place in Pankshin, it was there that
I was given the Tricycle.
TQM: What would you like to say to other people with Disability that are out there without doing something to earn a living?
I would say, if they can, they should get something doing to protect their interest no matter how little it may be.
TQM: Thank you Mr. John, for your time. We wish you the Very best in life.
This story is part of The Qualitative Magazine Project “CONNECTING OUR VOICES TO THE WORLD”-propagating the potentials and challenges of Persons with Disabilities in Plateau State supported by VOICE NIGERIA
Senator repressing Nasarawa South senatorial district Umaru Almakura Saturday, called on the persons with Disability to take full advantage of the newly established commission for persons with disabilities to showcase their talents by proving to the entire world that disability is not inability.
Almakura made the called while interfacing with people with disabilities in his office in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
He said the country would soon realise that the 25 million Nigerians with disabilities are already adding value to the economic development of the country.
” I am calling on the entire Disability community to take advantage of this commission and work towards promoting their talents, that there is ability in disability, because now a lot of things will be done for them “.
” By creation of this commission they will add greater value to the benefit of the country. This will also go a long way in showcasing Nigeria and Nigerian’s government as an inclusive administration”.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his gesture noting that this has lifted the psyche and mindset of the entire people with disabilities, “This i believed has added some impetus of self-esteem by every Nigerian today is with Disability,
He said further that the country has now joined the community of nations that have worked in line with the United Nations Chatter by creating the commission of people with disability.
Leader of the People with Disabilities in state Sale Barde, expressed gratitude for the honour done to them by President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the disability bill into law and also establishing a commission for them.
” Senator Almakura we remain grateful to you for fronting this,” he said.
Eno Edim is woman with albinism hails from Akwa-Ibom State
but she was born in Plateau state. She
is the second child in family of four children, three females and a male and
only one with albinism. They lost their parents long time ago.
She had a chat with our correspondent, Bulus Baba at a roadside where she sells engine oil to make a living.
TQM: As a person with
albinism, how have you been coping?
Life has really not been easy, either from parents, siblings
and relatives. But then, I have to be strong and encourage myself in one way or
the other to keep on interacting with people no matter what may be happening
around me. I believe that it is this self-encouragement I have that have brought
me this far. I am thankful to God for His grace, without Him, I would not have
gotten to where I am.
I finished my primary and secondary school successfully.
During my primary and secondary school days, I was the only
student with albinism. So a lot of the students, somehow don’t like me, but I
still have some of them as friends.
TQM: So there was little or no discrimination from
students?
Well I will not say that, but when you see the negative
sides of things, you will get negative result, but when you look at the
positive side, you will have positive outcome.
But my tertiary institutions, the story was not that
successful.
I got admission into Plateau state polytechnic to read diploma in public administration, I managed to complete my first year but I had to stop in my second year final examination, because, I could not pay for my second year fee.
TQM: Did you apply
for scholarship?
No, because, I did not come across any offer.
TQM: After that, how did you carry on with life?
Since my parents died and with no one to assist me. I started a little business of selling engine oil at sparkling junction, along Yakubu Gowon expressway here in Jos.
TQM: Are vehicle’s
owners comfortable with you being a lady with albinism selling engine oil to
them? And how is the patronage like?
Well, these are things that you have to face every day in
life. It all depends on how you present
yourself to them. Some will come and asked me, can I open their bonnet? Others
will buy from me, but others will drive their cars and go.
Generally, the patronage is not much. I still appreciate God.
TQM: The president
just approved the appointment of Board members of National Commission for
Persons with Disabilities. What is
your take on this?
I will say it is a good development because, it shows that,
this government really have interest in the well-being of persons with
Disability.
Let use this time to say thank you to Mr. President for this big step taken in considering PWDs.
TQM: What will be
your call to people with Disability who are losing hope in life because of
challenges?
They should not to lose hope, as long as there is life,
there is hope, God can turn around the table at any time.
I know it is not easy, but then we should not allow fear to over shadow us. Let keep trusting for better days to come.
This story is part of The Qualitative Magazine Project “CONNECTING OUR VOICES TO THE WORLD”-propagating the potentials and challenges of Persons with Disabilities in Plateau State supported by VOICE NIGERIA
Centre for Citizens With Disabilities (CCD) has expressed concern over the non inclusion of facilities that would provide access for 25 million Nigerians with Disabilities at newly opened Akanu Ibiam International airport, Enugu.
In a press statement sent to TQM signed by The Executive Director, Mr. David Obinna Anyaele, the group commended President Mohammed Buhari for the reopening of Akanu Ibiam International Airport after many months of shot down.
They are excited that flight can resume at the airport. They appreciated Presidential Buhari for his commitment to infrastructural development in the country, which compelled him to take action to ensure the dilapidated condition of the airport runway is rehabilitated.
They are pleased to note that other facilities such as taxiway, linkway, emergency operation centre, car park, entrance of the gate, perimeter fence and other critical airport infrastructures were provided in the rehabilitation project.
But they are disappointed that the government once again failed to ensure that the rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport includes the provision of Wheelchair lift designed for safety, and access to aircraft for passengers with disabilities
The group expressed concern that more than 90% of airports in Nigeria are not accessible to citizens with Disabilities in Nigeria, even as the Akanu Ibiam International Airport rehabilitation was delivered without consideration to key Airport infrastructures pertinent to more that 25 million Nigerians with disabilities.
They pointed that this omission is at variance with President Buhari’s June 12, 2020 directives which include “that all relevant Government agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of persons with disabilities in the formulation of their policies and programmes, and where suitable their employment”
“The none-inclusion of disability sensitive infrastructures in the rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, conflicts with the provisions of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 as known as the National Disability Act. Section 14 (2) of the Act provides that “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 airport” the reminded.
The group regret the fact that Enugu State Government is yet to adopt the National Disability Act, a situation that has exposed persons with disabilities in the State to constant discrimination, exclusion and neglect by the State government, as the State depends on charity based approach in addressing disability issues, which is not sustainable.
They called on President Mohammadu Buhari to compel the Minister of Aviation to provide without delay wheelchair lift designed for safety, and access to aircraft for passengers with disabilities in all the Airports across the Federation.
They also urge Mr. President to take necessary actions to ensure that Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, in particular Federal Ministry of Aviation implements the National Disability Act.
The President should also ensure that the N1 billion terminal building expansion includes disability sensitive infrastructures such as disability friendly toilets and carparks amongst others.
They called on Enugu State Government to adopt the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 without further delay, as many States in the Federation have passed Disability Laws to protect their own citizens with disabilities from discrimination and hardship associated with disability.
The group reaffirmes that committment towards holding the government accountable to ensure full implementation of the National Disability Act.
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 inclusion of persons with disabilities and their families in development agenda. It also works to educate, support, and empower persons with disabilities to maximize their potentials. CCD led CSOs campaign for the passage of National Disability Act in 2019.
CCD have over the past ten years sought a redefinition of the societal response to the plights of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
Comr. Muyiwa Abegunde, Ekiti Born with Albinism and Disability Rights Advocate at radio station in Ekiti State, New Cruse 92.7 FM, Ikere Ekiti, gave the high profile commendations to the Nigeria Government on appointments and establishment of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.
You will recall that on 24th of August, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari set the National Commission for Persons with disabilities by approving the appointment of the board members and the Executive Secretary of the Commission.
Chanchanta Personality post on 30th August , 2020 published that Burki Gufwan is the personality of the week;
In a publication titled BEHOLD THE EMERGENCE OF A PRAGMATIC LEADER PHASE 2, the announcement was made.
This medium wrote some weeks back concerning the emergence of a pragmatic leader in the Central Zone.
Going by their medium scores of Nominations this week, Burki Gufwan is a humanitarian whose activities on his desk at Beautiful gate Foundation is something that worth projecting by this medium.
Barr. Burki Gufwan has touched lives of the needy in nooks and crannies of Plateau and beyond within the persons with disabilities circle.
Just like the Bible saying “ He who blesses People’s lives secretely should be rewarded openly ” Today, chanchanta personality Post do celebrate this man of noble character in the public because he worth it this way and even more
Diana Emmanuel is a woman with physical disability who hails from Benue State, resides in Plateau State.
This beautiful lady who is from Tiv tribe was born in
Plateau State by Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel, the third born in the family of three
boys and four girls. Her father is a retired civil servant, while her mother
was a trader. They were not rich, but they were at their best and provided for
her and her siblings.
Diana whose her late mother hailed from Bassa Local
Government of Plateau State from birth have spent all her life in Plateau
State. So, Plateau State to her is her only home.
This student of Diploma in Film and Television Production at
NTA college Jos, is still single and she had her disability at the age 3, she
was full of life before the unfortunate incident.
In her chat with our correspondent Bulus Baba, she spoke more on how her disability happened, the challenges thereafter, her life with disability and her struggle in life to distinguish herself despite disability.
TQM: What was life
like after you became a person with Disability at an early age of three?
Really, it was not easy for me as a Child, running around
happily, playing among other children, suddenly within a short time, I became
sick and lost the use of my legs.
Growing up in this condition was difficult, not only to me
but to my parents as well, the joy of seeing their daughter growing up healthy
was cut short.
The little income they had which would have been used for
other things were spent for medical bills in search of a possible cure and it
continued for good number of years, unfortunately, I didn’t get back on my
feet. So, one can imagine the amount of money that they spent in that way.
TQM: Did you have the
privilege of acquiring formal education?
Yes, even though I started late, at the age of ten years.
I can still remember how my mother, may her soul rest in
peace, in her quest to have me acquire formal education, backed me and headed
to St. Peters primary school Bukuru, only to be discouraged by one staff of the
school whom we met on arrival, so I would have not gained admission into the
school because of my disability. Even
though my mother tried to explain to her my desire to be educated, she stood
her ground and have denied me that opportunity claiming that a child like me
cannot cope with the stress.
We felt hopeless, left her and tried another teacher, she
asked why my mother was carrying a grown up child in her back. My mother then
narrated her story, she was touched by the story and she helped by taking us to
the head teacher and even suggested that I should be in her class. With that,
the journey of my education started.
May God almighty continue to bless that kind hearted teacher
of mine. I don’t know her full name, but I know her as Mrs. Bature, this is a
name, I will never forget.
TQM: How did your
classmates treat you?
I don’t recall much ill- treatment, especially in class,
because, Mrs. Bature watchful eyes were on me. She provided that protection and
comfort for me. I completed my primary school there.
TQM: After primary school what followed?
After primary school, I couldn’t go to Secondary school
immediately because of financial difficulty.
I stayed at home for years. I later went to Government Secondary school
Bukuru, still in Jos South local government of Plateau state. I completed the
Secondary Education in 2003.
In the year 2004 to 2005, I went for a diploma training in
Computer Application.
Also, from 2010 – 2011. I was at Plateau State
Rehabilitation centre, a training centre for physically challenge persons. There, I learnt sewing, cake baking, beads
making and knitting.
For the first time in my life, I was met in large people of
my kind (physically challenged persons), It was quite an experience, a good one
for that matter, as we really connected well.
Upon completion, I came home and put the skills acquired into
practice. I started making money from selling cakes and knitting babies
seaters. Later, I added the sewing of ladies bags, processing of spices and
even at a point, I went into poultry farming.
In 2017, I got admission into NTA Television College
Jos. But I could not be in school that
time because of financial difficulty.
But, in 2018, by God’s grace, support came from people like Mr. Zaks, the registrar, Mr. Musa Abashe of NTA College, family and friends. I was able to resume at NTA college, reading Diploma in Film and Television Production, as you can see I am still in School.
Diana Emmanuel on Red Carpet modeling for Africulfash in Jos, Plateau State, 2018
TQM: What do you
consider as Challenges now as you are Studying?
Would there be life without challenges? Yes, there are challenges.
Firstly, the inaccessible nature of the buildings in the
Institution, with lecture halls are upstairs and for me on a wheelchair,
accessibility is my major problem, many thanks to my fellow students for always
helping me out.
The Rector Mr. Barnabas is now fast transforming the collage
to more accessible place for PWDs.
And secondly, I am staying on campus to lower my cost of
living.
Coming from home, I spend between #600.00 to #800.00 daily
on transportation.
A good person considered the difficulties I am facing and gave
me Keke Napep to help ease my movement. But unfortunately, the Keke was stolen
this year.
TQM: What is the role
of your family in your life as a PWDs?
Ans. My family have been very supportive in whatever they can,
especially, in doing things I cannot do for me. And I really appreciate them
for that.
TQM: What are some of
the things you can do for yourself?
I do my laundry, I cook, I keep my room, etc. I really try as much as I can to be less dependent but sometimes do need assistance.
Diana Emmanuel on stage contesting for Miss Kpakpando 2017
TQM: Have you try
doing other things outside, apart from schooling?
I have tried a number of things. I have contested for Miss Kpakpando in 2017 in
Abuja where I represented Benue State. I was a wheelchair model at Africulfash
in 2018 which took place in Jos Plateau state. I am an active choir member in my
Church, Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), worshiping with a local branch,
Mum Gyel close to Building Materials Market in Jos South, Plateau state.
TQM: Any parting
words?
To PWDs, God have placed ability in every disability, discover your own ability and to people without disability, they should support PWDs to be the very best they can be.
This story is part of The Qualitative Magazine Project “CONNECTING OUR VOICES TO THE WORLD”-propagating the potentials and challenges of Persons with Disabilities in Plateau State supported by VOICE NIGERIA
Network of Disabled Women on Friday in Abuja organized a media chat with key National Political Actors on the participation of women and girls with disabilities in the political process. It is an event supported by Global Affairs Canada and Action Aid Nigeria to enhance the participation of the women and girls with disabilities in political process.
The member of the board of trustees of the group, Barrister Catherine Edeh in her opening remark said that women and girls with disabilities are highly discriminated, marginalized and disfranchised. Women in general face discrimination but women with disabilities face more because even among women, women with disabilities are not seen as if they are also women. All these discriminations have made the challenges of women with disabilities multiple. Discrimination on the grounds of being a woman and discrimination on the grounds of disability. The men believe that a woman’s role is to give birth and cook for the family that’s why in the southeast where she come from, when a woman speaks, they will say WOMAN enter INSIDE. We need to promote justice and fairness and women with disabilities need all the encouragements they can get to excel in life.
The representative of INEC chairman, Mrs. Blessing Obidiegwu, the head of gender, INEC said that INEC is dedicated to create enabling environment for inclusion of groups including women. Speaking further, she said that it is a common knowledge that women especially women with disabilities performed abysmally at the last general election. It is as a result of barriers faced by women especially women and girls with disabilities. INEC has constantly stress the need to promote women participation in politics including women and girls with disabilities in its engagement with relevant stakeholders, political parties, OPDs, development partners and the media. INEC has recently reformed its processes and procedures to conform with international best practices in stakeholders’ engagement in the electoral process. An important area of the reform includes participation of vulnerable groups such as widening access for the PWDs in the electoral and political process. INEC have worked with OPDs to capture disaggregated data of PWDs across the country, in ensuring the mainstreaming of disability issues in INEC activities, a capacity building programme are being organized for INEC disability desk officers in all the states and local government offices. INEC in order to mainstream PWDs into the political parties restructure, leadership etc have organized roundtable meetings. INEC has developed a framework to reduce the barriers PWDs faced in the electoral process such as braille ballot guide for the blind, provide posters EC 30 for the deaf, provision of form EC40f to gather disaggregated data for PWDs, their type of disability and gender, procured and provided magnified glasses for people with albinism. INEC with the support of its development partners trained CSO and OPDs on how to carry out voter education.
She urges organizations who have the same vision with INEC to come front because they are ready to work with any organization which its agenda geared towards making the electoral process better. She also urges women with disabilities to be courageous, work with the media to get their voices heard because it is their right to be mainstreamed properly into the political process.
The representative of ECES, Sylvester Soho commended the Network of Disabled Women for this initiative of putting the women and girls through the political process. He said that ECES has been in constant support to INEC to enhance the development of electoral process in Nigeria. He also said they are committed to improvement of the participation of the vulnerable groups in the political and electoral process. They are dedicated to ensure that NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND in decision making sphere especially ensuring that women and girls with disabilities are equal represented in the electoral process, ensuring that all barriers that prevent women with disabilities are removed and to ensure that women with disabilities are involved in all development programmes.
Mrs. Ene Ede, Coordinator, VAPP said that Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act VAPP act is an act of National Assembly, a strong document to hold everybody and organizations accountable, it criminalizes all forms of violence including political violence. Section 23 stipulated that political violence is punishable on conviction 4 years’ imprisonment or fine of five hundred thousand naira or both. The media should use this act to hold the political actors accountable for political violence.
Lois Auta, The CEO, Network for Disabled Women
The CEO of Network for Disabled women in presentation
commended President Muhammadu Buhari for creating a National Commission for
People with disabilities and Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs,
Disaster Management and Social Development Haijah Sadiya Umar Farouq for aiding
the process. She informed that the data of representation of women and girls
with disabilities in the political leadership is zero because you cannot find
any woman with disability in any political leadership in Nigeria. She said that
she made effort to contest at the last general election and the gap between and
the winner of the election and her was almost 17, 000 voters. She urges women
with disabilities to take the bull by the horn, join a political party, make
themselves relevant and present themselves for elective positions. She advised
them not to be afraid of presenting themselves, make appropriate use of the
media, activate the process of crowd funding to finance their campaign. She
asked them to be strong and bold to seek for political power because power is
not given but it is taken so they should be ready to take power.
The representative of the Chairman of IPAC, the legal adviser, Chukwudi Ezeobika, said that the recently reviewed conduct of code of the IPAC, the issue of gender and disability dominated the discussion, the code of conduct now stipulated a special office reserved exclusively for persons with disabilities. As an umbrella body of all political parties in Nigeria, they have mandate their members to comply to the code of conduct. So many political parties have enshrined it in their constitution. IPAC have also ensures some level of inclusivity of persons with disabilities in their activities. There are some political parties not the big two APC and PDP that can offer you free nomination form if you are a person with disability who wish to contest. That’s why multi-party system should be encouraged in Nigeria to free up the political shape. There is freedom of expression enshrined in our constitution, people should be allowed to exercise their rights. He encouraged the PWDs to join political parties and participate actively because it is only when you are inside that you will be heard.
IPAC, the legal adviser, Chukwudi Ezeobika
The event also witnessed the full participation of media houses, NTA, Plus TV, AIT, The Qualitative Magazine (TQM), women with disabilities drawn from different clusters, the blind, physical disability, the deaf, persons with albinism, etc.
LOIS AUTA, The Chief Executive Officer Presentation at the Event(Video)
