By Chuks Ekpeneru

Determined to tackle the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization, Europe (NIDOE) is planning to reach more than four million Nigerians to provide answers to frequently asked questions on the pandemic.

A statement from NIDOE, said the programme was an initiative conceived in partnership with the Sub Saharan Open University (SSOU) and World Hope Youth Mentors (WHY-MENTORS), North Carolina to strengthen awareness on COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The statement jointly signed by Vire Komolafe, the General Secretary, Kenneth Gbandi, the Chairman and Fidel Wilson, the Public Relations Officer, said the campaign would be implemented under NIDSAFE Initiative.

They said youths in Nigeria would be the focus in creating awareness of the pandemic.

“Answers will be provided for question like how to disinfect food, What care should be taken with a person with disabilities and the elderly and if masks can be reused.

“All these questions will be answered on the social media broadcasts and this will be in addition to provision of protective kits like facemasks and sanitizers for frontline Youths/healthcare workers,” it said.

The statement said the objectives of NIDSAFE Initiative in Nigeria was to help Nigerian youths to understand the origin and terminology for COVID-19.

It said the initiative would help youths to describe mode of spread of coronavirus and also, provide an understanding on how to limit its spread in communities.

“It will describe the clinical presentation and progression of the disease, provide understanding on the principles of managing people with COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the pandemic in hospitals,” the statement added.

By IZANG BALA BULUS, JOS

The remains of late Queen Helen Halima Makama (a person with disability), The Face of Kpakpando Foundation 2017 and the face at The Qualitative Magazine cover page in 2018, who died on the 24th July, 2020 was laid to rest amidst tears.

Born in 1982 to the family of Danlami Makama, in Jos- North L. G. A. of Plateau state.

She started her formal education at Rwang Pam Memorial primary school Bukuru, in Jos- South from 1989-1994, where she obtained her first leaving certificate.

She proceeded to Girls High School Gindiri in Mangu LGA of Plateau State, for her Secondary School Education, from 1995- 2000 where she obtained SSCE and NECO Certificates.

She later got admission into Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, from 2001- 2008 and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Regional and Urban planning.

Did her NYSC 2008 -2009. It was during her service, On 4th of March, 2009. She was involved in an auto accident as other occupants of the vehicle died on the spot, she sustained a spinal cord injury. She was later rehabilitated to be a wheelchair user.

She received her NYSC Certificate after completion of the exercise in November, 2009 in Abuja.

She later enrolled for Nigerian Stability and Rehabilitation programme in August, 2013 and completed with life skill training certificate.

She took a job with the Great Blessing Organization in 2016.

Hellen was baptized in Ulster church Gindiri by Rev. Dr. Soja Bewarang on the 1st June 1997.

She was a member of Network of Women with Disability.

Late Hellen Halima Makama’s life was well spent in service to God and humanity. An disability advocate, a philanthropist and an ambassador of fellow People With Disabilities (PWDs). She stood up for the rights of PWDs, she was among the few who championed the fight for the enactment of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018..

In a Church Service in her honor at COCIN Rahol- Kanang, Bukuru.

The preacher, Rev. Dr. Dauda Chantu, taken his text from the Book of Job 2:11-13 charged Christians to leave their comfort zones, to comfort people who are in pain and remind them to always choose their words carefully when comforting. Just like friends of Job did from the text.

The Revend in charge of the Church, Rev. Stephen Godongs also call on Christians to live a worthy life. He further reassured believers in Christ that nothing will separate them from the love of God, not even dead.

Sympathizers present include,
= The Representative the Governor of Plateau state.
= Representative of Kpakpando Foundation.
= Network of Women with Disability Plateau state.

=APC National Caretaker Committee member, James Lalu (APC disabled leader)
= Disability community
= GOSA set 2000.
= Friends,
= Church members among others.

The body was later laid to rest at the family burial ground, Madura Du, in Jos- South. May her soul rest in peace.

Nigerian Association of the Blind FCT Chapter ( NAB FCT) on Thursday organized a virtual meeting on the review of National Building Code 2006. It is part of the advocacy moves arising from the accessibility audit conducted by the group last year. The project is supported by Disability Rights Fund(DRF).

Obinna Ekujereonye, the Chairman of NAB FCT in his opening said that the meeting is an attempt to bring together key stakeholders to see ways in which their findings from the accessibility audit would be addressed.

The meeting witnessed the presence of key actors from different cluster of disability, NGOs in FCT, Theophilus Odaudu( DRF), Abdulmumuni Ujah(Chairman, JONAPWD FCT), Lawrence Idemudia (Deaf Inclusion Initiative), Lois Auta, (Cedar seeds Foundation), Comrade Musa M. Musa Centre for Citizens With Disabilities (CCD), Barrister Ikem Uchegbunam (JONAPWD FCT vice Chairman), Ruth Ali( Blind Cluster), Chris Agbo ( ED, The Qualitative Magazine), Idris ( DRAC), Peace Oriaku( CCD), Barrister Kassim( Blind Cluster), Afam Kasim(The Albino Foundation(TAF)), Okoye Vincent Chinedu( TAF), Ononiwu Gift Nkechi (Physical Cluster), Onyemaechi Constance( TAF/Cedar seeds Foundation) and many others.

Unfortunately, the key stakeholders like Ministry of Works, housing, COREN and other relevant stakeholders who received invitation to be part of the meeting didn’t show up.

Ekomobong Udo-Affah, Co-founder and Design Director, Universal Design Initiative for Africans (UDIA) excellently reviewed the National Building Code 2006. The highlight of his presentation was the sections where the words “Disability” “Handicapped” “Physically Challenged” were mentioned and the classification of group use which provision were made to accommodate persons with disabilities especially persons with physical disabilities and the aged.

The National Building Code captured in the groups some buildings like Assembly, event centres, churches, mosques, schools, business centres, shopping malls, residential estates, retail stores, fuel stations, shops, markets, hospitals and correctional centres.

The architectural design requirements that National Building Code prescribed here includes Accessible toilets, and other sanitary such as lavatories, water closets, mirror, and towels fixtures. Egress that is provisions for existing the building for persons with mobility impairment. Elevators/lifts and ramps where necessary.

The Building Code excluded some groups of building from these requirements. Such buildings are factories, storage facilities, Markets/Places under doubtful use classification and Utility and miscellaneous.

He also spoke about principle of Universal Design. He described Universal Design as the best to be adopted because it accommodates everyone with or without disability. The Universal Design should be Equitable in use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive in use, have perceptible information, tolerance error, low physical effort, considers size and space for approach and use.

He made some recommendations which he believes should be incorporated into the National Building Code:

a. The use of right language to describe persons with disabilities in the National Building Code, the use of Physically Challenged, Handicapped to describe persons with disabilities was wrong.

b. Allocate at least 5% of the car parts space for PWDs in our malls, offices, event centres, churches etc.

c. Sidewalks should be designed in accordance with Universal Design . It should be built to accommodate at least two wheelchairs users at a time.

d. Kerb cut should have tactile surfacing to assist pedestrians who are blind.

e. Ramps should have a gradient not exceeding 1 in 20, with a maximum rise of 450mm between landings and a corresponding maximum ramp length of 9000mm. Ramps should not have very lengthy distances else they become too tiring for people to use, even though they may have the regular landings and rest areas. The maximum ramp length should be 9 meters. Avoid curved ramps, they are problematic for wheelchair
users, elders with strollers etc.

f. External steps should always be provided side by side with external ramps to offer users a choice and to provide routes that are usable by all. Each step edge should have a non-slip applied nosing or contrasting strip to visually highlight the step edge thereby preventing instances of accidents caused by slippery edges.

g. There should be handrails along ramps or steps to offer essential support to people with limited mobility. It should be provided to both sides of the ramp or steps and should be continuous to the full length of the flight and around intermediate landings. Materials used that enable a firm and comfortable grip. Metal can be uncomfortable, especially when cold or wet, and are better if nylon of plastic coated. Alternately a good quality, non￾splintering hardwood can be used. All surfaces must be anti-glare and slip resistance

h. There should be tactile paving to aid access routes and provide warning and guidance to people with visual difficulties. Tactile paving surfaces provide guidance and others indicate the presence of a potential hazard such as an approaching change in level or the absence of a Kerb at a road crossing, on walkways and staircases.

I. It is important that lifts/elevators are provided in public buildings with features that are adequate to cater for the user needs of people living with disabilities

J. The Use of signage is very effective for the communication of relevant information to people living with auditory impairments within the built environment. Signage helps in wayfinding for everyone, it guides building users to get around spaces independently without necessarily seeking for direction from others.

k. There should be spaces in offices, bedrooms etc, reception desks should be in a heights that different users should be taken into consideration. Light switches, air condition sockets and other forms of power outlets, door handles, should be positioned in consideration of people irregular heights like children, stunted adults, and wheelchair users.
Counters should be positioned to consider wheelchair users and door handles should be made to easy while opening.

Recommendations to accommodate Persons with low vision or visually impaired;

Acoustics: Managing the sound that emanates from building materials within space. When there is uncontrolled reverberation of noise within a building it can confuse a person with a visual impairment.

Proper Signage, Light-weight doors, Positioning of light switches and fan regulators at 1050mm (i.e. at about the abdomen level of an average adult, lever arm door handles, skid resistant floors, wider lobbies, if possible, with wall mounted rails along long lobbies. Sitting area should be provided within along long lobbies or walkway for people with physical impairments and elderly people.

People with Neurological impairments require simple designs with flexible use.

In public buildings like banks, revolving doors should be removed, and regular swing security doors be used to replace
them.

Accessible toilets and Urinals providing options for other users, securely fitted with grab rails.

Avoid jottings or protrusions from the walls.

He concluded by advising persons with disabilities to develop a detailed document/tool kit or reference guide like the 1990 American Disability Act (ADA), and the 2017 South African Human rights Commission Disability Toolkit to present
a comprehensive guideline and monitoring framework on the inclusion of persons with disability to be referred to from
the National Building Code.

NAB FCT unveiled a book which documented the accessibility audit report conducted by the group in 2019.

By Onuminya Innocent

The Joint National Association of People with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Birnin Kebbi Local Government Chapter of Kebbi State, have commended Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for extending unparalleled Sallah packages to them.

The group’s Chairman, Alhaji Umaru Abubakar Takalau, made the commendation in Birnin Kebbi, Thursday when he commented on the magnanimity of Governor Bagudu towards them.

According to Takalau, “The members of the association have never had it so good like now in the history of Kebbi State.

“No governor, I repeat, no governor, no administration had remembered our members in this direction, like Governor Bagudu. Only the Almighty Allah can reward him abundantly.

“The governor has carved a niche for himself and we will never forget. We will continue to pray for him fervently.”

The chairman also pledged to continue to collectively work towards ensuring the success of the state government’s programmes and policies.

One of the beneficiaries, Usman Tasha, also expressed happiness with the gesture and prayed fervently to God to protect and guide the governor in his quest to develop the state.

“Let me say Alhamdulillah, I give thanks to God and Governor Bagudu for his Sallah benevolence. We received cash and some food items, I am very much happy,” he said.

Confirming the release of Sallah monetary assistance to the various groups of people with disabilities in the state, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajiya Aishatu Maikurata, said the gesture was from the governor.

According to her, the governor had directed that all the leaders of persons with disabilities in all the 21 local government areas of the state be handed their welfare for onward distribution to their members.

“In all the 21 LGAs, I made sure that we deal directly with the leadership of persons with disabilities who will share the money to their members. This is a directive and staff of my ministry complied without any hesitation.

“To ensure accountability and transparency in the exercise, my staff issued forms to their leaders which they filled and signed,” she said.

In a related development, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Hassan Muhammad Shallah, has expressed delight with Governor Bagudu for transforming the state into a “plausible Welfarist state”.

Speaking on the Sallah largesse to a cross section of the people of the state by Bagudu, Shallah said: “The people of the state are evenly reaping myriad of dividends of democracy.

“They ranged from assorted developmental projects like roads, hospitals, water and electricity supplies, education and other people-oriented programmes and policies.

“Others are several poverty alleviation programmes aimed at further empowering the various strata of the people of the state, especially the vulnerable groups.

“That was why Kebbi State has remained a pacesetter and a trailblazer. It has remained the most peaceful and harmonious state in the country.”

Also commenting, the state Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Jega Local Government, Mr. Shehu Marshall, said all the people in the 23 local governments of the state were not left out in the sharing of the Sallah packages. Thisday

by Chris Agbo

Queen Janet Fasakin, the CEO of Ability Plus Initiative in partnership with Concerns for Disability Initiative on 25^th July, 2020 visited Heaven Destiny Helpers orphanage home at Mararaba to mark her birthday and 1Year Wedding Anniversary with the Orphans Children. She donated books, clothes, School bags, shoes, Rice, packs of indomie, bag of Sachet tomatoes, biscuits, drinks, chicken sauce with cupcake as small chop for the children, cakes and eggs.

The event witnessed with some of encouragement for the children, a brief presentation of Concerns for Disability initiative represented by Mrs Uche, followed by House of HILKIAN Foundation and Ability Plus Initiative.

The children toasted with the wine and cut birthday cake for Janet’s birthday. The children were fed. Queen Janet described the event as a day to Remember because it is a special day with the orphans.

They took tour of the orphanage home and they were disheartening that the home is in a bad state, the mattresses are horrible and old, no single bedspread or blankets, no wardrobe or shelves for the clothes so they put their clothes on a bare floor, no school, no chairs and reading desks. The surroundings are very rough and dirty, it is not habitable for the children.

We learnt that they rented the building for 350k per year, and they intend to buy the land so that they can be able to turn it to a permanent site for the children and build accessible library and Classroom.

Queen Janet while lamenting on the state of facilities at the orphanage home, called on the public to assist them with blankets, a library, bedspreads, mattress, children chairs , Painting ,detergents, curtains, wardrobes or shelves and Beds.

Queen Janet Fasakin is a hearing impaired lady, the immediate past Most Beautiful Deaf Girl in Nigeria, the coordinator, Most Beautiful Deaf Girl in Nigeria(MBDGN) and the presenter of Ability Plus TV( a disability inclusion TV show) in NTA.

MORE PICTURES OF THE EVENT