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Chinese built health facility ready to aid Nigeria’s COVID-19 fight

By
Agbo Christian
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By Jerry Omondi

A Chinese company has handed over a health facility to the Nigerian government to aid in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new Dome Treatment Center is expected to play an important role in the West African country’s struggle to curb the spread of the disease.

The centre was designed, constructed and equipped by the China Civil Engineering Nigeria Company on request by the Nigerian government.

Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, thanked the Chinese government for the project.

“They have given us a lot of support in the health systems so we are very happy and i think this is very good even after Covid-19, this kind of partnership should continue for the good of the people of both countries,” Bello said.

COVID-19: Online Learning and Persons with disabilities

By
Agbo Christian
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True to prediction that the Covid -19 pandemic would alter the way of life of people as well as socioeconomic and political systems the world over, Nigeria is already experiencing the change amid the unabated spread of the deadly Coronavirus. With schools still under lock and key and the uncertainty over when the bell will ring for their resumption, the e-learning option is now the in-thing.

So far, most countries, including Nigeria, have adopted lockdowns as the most effective strategy to contain the spread of the deadly virus. The government only recently eased the lockdown to open up the economy that was fast suffocating under the yoke of the stay-at-home order. However, schools, churches and mosques still remain closed as the spread of the virus has rather been on the increase.

However, in order to keep the academic calendar running and minimise loss of time as a result of the lockdown, many schools have embarked on online lessons for their pupils and students. It is safe to surmise that online teaching or meeting has become the new normal. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has held several meetings recently via teleconferencing. Even the last ECOWAS meeting of heads of governments was through teleconferencing.

As the schools, especially  the private ones, adopt online teaching, this newspaper has observed that one very important group of pupils and students has not been taken into consideration-children with disabilities and special needs.

It is significant to note that this group of pupils and students constitute a considerable segment of the population of children across the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO), for instance, has put the population of persons with disabilities worldwide at one billion. Such a huge population cannot be ignored in any planning for educational development. Also, UNICEF in a recent report estimated that there are at least 93 million children with disabilities in the world, but numbers could be much higher.

Nigeria, no doubt, has a sizeable number of children with disabilities. According to a 2017 World Bank study, 80 per cent of the 150 million children with disabilities in the world live in developing countries. The report also said the literacy gap between these children and their able-bodied peers has increased substantially over the last 30 years.

To be sure, children with disabilities or special needs include those who have blindness, speech and hearing impairment, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder among others. Sadly, even in conventional learning arrangements, these set of children have been finding it hard to cope.

According to educeleb, there are only 1,177 full-fledged nursery, primary and secondary special needs schools in the country presently. Of that number, Kano has 153, followed by Kaduna with 79 and Lagos with 75. States with the least number of such schools are Borno, Bayelsa and Zamfara. Regrettably, most of this schools lack the basic infrastructure adapted for children in such situations.

It is gratifying to note that some conventional schools have tried to bridge the gap by adopting inclusive learning to take care of children with special needs. We are all for this approach as in our considered opinion, inclusive education is the most effective way to give all children equal opportunity for learning and development.

The big question, however, is: with most private schools adopting the online teaching model, how will children with special needs fit into this new arrangement? Won’t they be deliberately left behind?  It needs to be emphasized that children with special needs often rely on specialized coaching and instruction like cues or sensory activities that keep them on task which is almost impossible in online learning as many students with special needs thrive within the structure of the school.

It is a known fact that some parents of children in public schools cannot afford to get laptops, tablets or smart phones for their children to participate in this online learning. Worse still, most parents of children with special needs cannot afford assistive technology as it is beyond the reach of an average earner in the country. This, no doubt, is a major snag in the online learning system.

Consequently, with online learning becoming the new normal in the Covid-19 era, we call on the federal government to develop a national policy on inclusive education. We must restructure our education sector in a post Covid -19 world. Students and pupils with disabilities and special needs have the right to learn and develop like other children. We also urge the government to invest in the training of teachers and e- learning platform- enhanced inclusive learning. Our priorities must necessarily be altered in line with the current and emerging challenges.

Source: Leadership Newspaper

COVID-19: PWDs in Anambra state visit protective centres to access compliance to Disability laws

By
Agbo Christian
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Joint National Association of Persons with disabilities (JONAPWD) Anambra State Chapter through the support from the European Union’s Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme embarked on a fact finding visit to 5 centres protection centre of COVID-19 in Anambra State to assess the level of compliance with the Anambra State Disabilities Rights Law 2018 which provides under Section 23, Sub-section 1, that a person living with disability shall have the right and necessary facilities to access public buildings and public places.


In a report signed by the association’s public relations officer, Igwegbe Ifeanyi, Nigeria like every other parts of the world is experiencing the Coronavirus pandemic and as a result has created COVID-19 testing and isolation centres in almost all the states of the federation. In Anambra state, 3 Protective Care Centres have been established at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, Onitsha General Hospital, and NYSC National Orientation Camp, Mbakwu-Umuawulu, with surge centres at Umueri General Hospital and Ekwulobia General Hospital.

The checklist for the compliance among others things include;

  1. To find out how accessible the entrances of the centres are?
  2. To determine if the beds at the centres are adjustable.
  3. To confirm the availability of sign language interpreters for the
    Deaf at the centres.
  4. To ascertain if the toilet facilities are
    accessible to the wheelchairs users.
  5. To find out if the environment of the centres are accessible are
    disability friendly. JONAPWD made the following observations about
    the 5 centres:
  6. At Onitsha General Hospital Protective Care Centre, the structure was found to be constructed to a good standard with a provision of ramp and rails
    for easy access for the blind and persons using wheelchairs and crutches.
    A hospital attendant at the centre confirmed that the hospital beds are height adjustable for wheelchair users even though we are unable to verify that because we are restricted to enter inside the ward unprotected as that was the place where the first index case in the state is being managed as at
    time of our visit. Their toilet facilities and environment were found to be disabled-friendly.
  7. At NYSC Orientation Camp, Mbaukwu Protective Care Centre, the entrance of the facility did not provide for disabled access. The hospital beds were however found to be height adjustable.
  8. JONAPWD was unable to assess the
    Protective Care Centre at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka because nobody was interested to show JONAPWD around the facility on their view
    that we are supposed to be at home to obey the stay at home order.
  9. JONAPWD found that the Surge Centre at Umueri General Hospital was still under renovation but were assured by a hospital attendant after interviewing him with our checklist that the centre will have every facility required to make it disability friendly.
  10. JONAPWD found that the Surge Centre at Ekwuluobia General Hospital, was also still under renovation with some signs of disability inclusive plan.
  11. JONAPWD was informed that the
    management of all the centres are in close contact with the office of the Governor on Disability Matters for making available the sign language interpreters anytime their services are needed at the centre and it was confirmed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sign Language Communication.
    JONAPWD’s Appreciation to the Executive Governor:
  12. Employment of sign language interpreter who are on ground in the state to give every necessary information to the Deaf community as it concerns the preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID 19.
  13. Provision of palliatives to the aged, the youth and persons with
    disabilities to cushion the effect of the lock down in the state as a
    result of COVID 19 pandemic.

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Inclusion of key representatives of the disability community in the
    State COVID 19 Action Committee.
  • State government, relevant service providers and the Office of the
    Governor on Disability Matters to ensure that protective care centres
    and surge centres adhere to all standards of disabled access and disability inclusion as JONAPWD is willing to provide specific guidelines for disabled-friendly facilities.
  • More palliatives should made available for persons with disabilities in the state to argument the previous palliatives provided considering the number of the indigent members that needed
    urgent intervention for their
    survival that is for feeding and medical services.
  • Encouragement to set up a subcommittee of persons with disabilities to assist the government in identifying the areas of need and intervention for persons with disabilities. It will also assist to
    ensure the total compliance of the disability community on official directives and protocols
    issued for the prevention of the spread of COVID 19 in our state.
  • Proper training of all the front line interveners on COVID 19 on
    disability etiquette.

Our Challenges:

The stay at home order which was the argument raised against us by a staff of COOUTH Awka that we are not supposed to be in that hospital as at that time. The issue above restricted us from accessing the internal facilities; we were only able to view the beds from outside.

Our inability to send official letter across to the Hon. Commissioner for Health to obtain approval to inspect the facility which was as a result office closure caused by the total lock down in the state.

The state chairman of the association, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke enjoined the members and general public to remain committed in observing and voluntarily complying with all the COVID 19 prevention orders so that Anambra State will continue to be the safest state in Nigeria.

The Joint National Association of Persons with
Disabilities (JONAPWD)
Anambra State has been the only umbrella body
of all Associations (clusters) of Disabled People’s Organization (DPOs) with presence in all
the 21 Local Government Area of Anambra State.
JONAPWD has gained recognition at state and local government levels as a civil society
organization supporting the welfare and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Anambra state. It has existed for over a decade in Anambra
State, and has been in the forefront of advocacy
for the passage and assent to the law that promote the rights of persons with disabilities; advocating for inclusive laws and policies; and engaging with all sectors and stakeholders in the society to enhance social inclusion of PWDs.

Survival Festula Healthcare donates hand sanitizers and face masks to PWDs in FCT

By
Agbo Christian
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0

People with disabilities are most hit in COVID-19 pandemic, persons with disabilities who have been economically disadvanged, found themselves in more deprivations occasioned by the lockdown. People with disabilities unfortunately lack the necessary sanitary materials to meet up the most important measure of curbing the spread of the virus which is personal hygiene. But one can also appreciate some groups who have made emphatic effort to ensure that people with disabilities go through this trying time.

The Survival Festula Healthcare followed the pact of these groups when they handed over 48 hand sanitizers, 100 face masks and 100 handbills(50 in Hausa language and 50 in English Language) to JONAPWD FCT.

The JONAPWD FCT Chairman Chapter, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Ujah while distributing the materials to the cluster heads to onward distribution to some of their members appreciated the group for remembering PWDs in FCT at this time of Coronavirus pandemic.

Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) is the umbrella body of persons with disabilities.

JONAPWD BOT laments exclusion of PWDs in Ambassadorial list, ask Senate to suspend screening

By
Agbo Christian
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0

The Board of Trustees of Joint National Association of Persons with disabilities (JONAPWD) has expressed disappointment over the omission of over 31million Nigerians with disabilities in the list of ambassadorial appointments released on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a press release signed by the Chairman of JONAPWD BOT, Prince Paul Adelabu. He thanked Mr President for the list of ambassadorial appointments sent to the Senate of the Federal republic of Nigeria for screening but he expressed shock when the umbrella organisation observed that there is no single person with disability in this long list and may wish to ask if government who signed disability right bill is discriminating against persons with disabilities on account of disability. The body equally observed that government did not consult persons with disabilities for their own nominees as a constituent groups whose population is more than many of the states in Nigeria .

BOT of JONAPWD therefore demand that the Senate put this list on hold pending necessary action is taken on inclusion of at least one person with disability in the list of Ambassadors to represent Nigeria in our oversees mission offices. “We want to state that Jonapwd has many qualified persons who has exemplary knowledge of international relations as professional and represent Nigeria very well”, they indicated.

The body believes that it is purely an error of omission from the ministry of external affairs as President Buhari is 100% disability friendly. If the youth and women are represented why not persons with disabilities. An adage says equality through participation. Our motto is nothing for us without us. They have no doubt that Mr President will look into this very important issue that will justify the disability law signed by Mr President on equal rights and non discrimination as they urge him to retrieve the list from the Senate and include at least a person with disability before the approval from the Senate.

COVID-19 AND THE APPLICATION OF DISABILITY LAWS

By
Agbo Christian
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0

An article written by Daniel Amaechi Onwe Esq., the President of Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN). And ALDIN is supported by Disability Rights Fund ( DRF ).


The enactment of Discrimination against Person Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (“the Disability Act”) marked a paradigm shift in the legally acceptable manner of conducting affairs in Nigeria. It symbolizes a departure from the era wherein the treatment of persons with disability bore no legal consequence in the scheme of things.

There is now a new legal regime, and this new reality need be given expression in all affairs, particularly in the current covid-19 response.
For months now, the Coronavirus pandemic has been ravaging the entire globe, warranting the interventions of the different levels of government, aimed at the curtailment of the pandemic, and this has brought in some dynamics in our scheme of things in the country, and indeed our world.

Lockdowns and other forms of movement restriction have been imposed. Palliatives of various forms are been reportedly distributed by both government corporate organizations and even individuals to ease the effect of the restrictions put in place to check the spread of the virus. Various isolation centers have been created all over the country. Testing centers have equally sprung up, in addition to the house-to-house testing that has lately been adopted by Lagos State, the FCT and others. In all these how has the Disability Act been applicable and applied?


Section 25 of the said Act provides as follows:
In all situations of risk, violence, emergencies or occurrences of natural disaster, government shall take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of persons with disabilities taking cognizance of their peculiar vulnerability.

This provision is similar to section 25 of the Lagos State Special People’s Law, 2011. It goes without saying that the incident of covid-19 pandemic is a situation of serious risk and even emergency, and therefore, subject to the application of section 25 of the Act. The big question is that in all the covid-19 responses at both the federal and state levels, to what extent could it be said that the governments actually took the necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of persons with disabilities, taking cognizance of their vulnerability?

Several messages on protection against the covid-19 have been in circulation courtesy of the Federal and States governments. The Presidential Task Force on the covid-19 subsequently began to make use of sign language interpreters in its periodic briefings. The same goes for state like Lagos. That is highly commendable. As commendable as that may be, however, it is still not enough, as other advertorials on the covid-19 are not translated in the appropriate accessible format. This contravenes the section 15 of the Act which expressly provides as follows:


Any general information shall be translated into the accessible format appropriate to the person with disability present.

The effective mainstreaming of disability issues in the covid-19 sensitization program is crucial considering the peculiar vulnerability of persons with disabilities to contracting the virus. The covid-19, experts say, settles on hard surfaces and settle there for as a long as between 24 to 72 hours, according the World Health Organization. Persons with disabilities inevitably make much more contact with other persons and surfaces in other to carry out the normal day to day function. For instance, for a person with physical disability, who walks on crutches to sit down, he or she would on the average make, with his or hands, about three physical contacts with the adjacent surfaces; and would make much more contacts before he or she could stand up. Similarly, they are very disposed to tightly grabbing at objects like handrails, for support.

The visually impaired on their part constantly depend on other persons with whom they cannot afford not to make physical contact, such as holding of hands. And when they are not led by another person, they would have to feel their way through, touching any imposing surface on their way. What can I say about those who are too poor to afford wheelchairs, and therefore, crawl on all fours, constantly making physical contacts all over their bodies.

Many of them are undereducated or outright illiterates, and therefore cannot connect with the advertorials often rendered in queen’s English. And most of the advertorials do not highlight the aspects that are peculiar to persons with disability. For instance, a crutches user, who washed and sanitizes his or her hand, but pays no hid to the handgrips of his or her crutches is still at risk. The same applies to the blind who pays no attention to his or her guide cane. Similarly, the wheelchair user, who is in constant contact with his or her wheelchair’s hand rim, that is very exposed.


The Federal and State Governments have been reporting in the media how much palliatives they have been giving to persons with disabilities. However, there is an unimaginable gap between what is reported in the media and the reality on ground. It is apparent that politicians are taking the covid-19 pandemic as opportunity to ascribe cheap and hollow credit with regards to persons with disabilities. This is more disturbing in the light of the fact that, even without covid-19, persons with disabilities suffer deprivation of means of livelihood.


Section 4 of the Act provides as:
A public building shall be constructed with the necessary accessibility aid such as lift (where necessary) ramps and other facilities that shall make them accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.


In this context, in focus are the isolation centers, testing centers and the hospitals generally. Are these facilities physically accessible to persons with disabilities, including those on wheelchairs, particularly in the light of their circumstantial predisposition to contracting the dreaded virus? Are there sign language interpreters at these facilities?


Virtually all the of the covid-19 help lines are specifically designated for calls. What about SMS and whatsapp which are the major means of communication between the deaf community and other members of the society? Similarly, at public places, where water and soap are made available for hand washing, they are usually not located where, and in a manner where persons with disabilities, particularly those on wheelchair can access them.


The resultant effect of these inadequacies is the amplification of the disadvantage of persons with disabilities. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antotionio Guterres has raised an alarm on this development, and in his words:
People with disabilities are among the hardest hit by COVID-19.


They face a lack of accessible public health information, significant barriers to implement basic hygiene measures, and inaccessible health facilities.

The government, corporate organizations should not allow persons with disabilities to be the weak link in the fight against persons with the covid-19. If persons with disabilities are under protected against covid-19, then everybody is imperiled.

Therefore, much more should be done by all and sundry to ensure that persons with disabilities are adequately covered in every facet of the response against the corona virus. And to successfully do this, constant and proactive consultation with persons disabilities and their organizations is key.
No stone should be left unturned in the fight against covid-19.

COVID-19: CCD urges Gov. Ikpeazu to review Radio Class Program to accommodate Abians with disabilities

By
Agbo Christian
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By Chris Agbo, Abuja

Centre for Citizens With Disabilities (CCD) expressed dismay over the exclusion of Abians with disabilities in Radio Class program created by Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA).

In a press release signed by The Executive Director of CCD, Mr. David Anyaele, the group commended Abia State government for creating innovative education Radio Class program on Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA) to keep students and their parents busy during the period of the lockdown as a result of Covid-19 pandemic.

The group appreciated Abia State government efforts to ensure that the academics of our highflying school children do not suffer too much from the pandemic and its associated social disruptions, as Abia State has been on the lead in WEAC Examination result in Nigeria for 3 years now. The Radio Class program was designed to assist in keeping school children busy and abreast of their academics pending the resumption of normal classes.

The Radio Class Program is a welcome development because it provided opportunity for school children to have access to Education even at this time of lockdown accasioned by Coronavirus pandemic but the group is worried that the program discriminates, excludes, isolates and denies more than 600,000 persons with disabilities in Abia State, in particular, persons with hearing impairment as they cannot hear anything being taught on the Radio Class program on BCA Radio Station.

Going further, the group believes that it is depressing that the design and implementation of this Radio Class program on BCA Radio is a demonstration by Abia State government that the education of persons with disabilities does not matter, and another example of State led abuse of persons with disabilities’ rights to education and vocational training.

The group is deeply concerned that Abia State government has continued to conduct it programs and activities at the exclusion of persons with disabilities in the State, especially at this period of Covid-19 pandemic as every activity of the State government that is designed as a palliatives at this lockdown, excludes Abians with Disabilities.

The CCD boss reiterated that this pathetic situation of Abians with disabilities is not unconnected with the delay by the Abia State House of Assembly to pass Abia State Disability Bill, to protect citizens with disabilities in the State from discrimination and other harmful practices.

The group urged Abia State government led by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, take appropriate measure to review this Radio Class program on BCA to accommodate persons with hearing impairment and persons with disabilities in general.

The group recommended the use of BCA Television with a Sign Language Interpreter instead of the Radio Class program to ensure access to education to the deaf students, so that no-one-is-left-behind as a result of his or her disability in the State education system.

CCD called on Abia State House of Assembly to pass Abia State Disability Bill or adopt the National Disability Act without further delay. The National Disability Act prohibits all forms of discrimination against persons with disabilities. It also provides rights to: education, healthcare, access to public infrastructures amongst others.

“We call on Abia State Ministry of Education to consult the leadership of organisations of persons with disabilities in the State, for support on approaches of ensuring that persons with disabilities are included in the Radio Class program, we wish to remind Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on what God says in the book of Proverb 31 v 8-9: it says “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” the group concluded.

Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) is an organization of, and for persons with disabilities and their families that works to promote disability rights, independence living and inclusion of persons with disabilities in development agenda. It also works to educate, support and empower persons with disabilities and their families to maximize their potentials.

Youth Parliament call on gov’t to engaged Youth on the committee of palliatives

By
Agbo Christian
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0

By Rabilu Abubakar, Gombe

The Nigerian Youth Parliament NYP has called on the Federal and Gombe state government to include the youth as members of the various committees for the distribution of palliatives to ensure transparency and youth participation in the fight against the spread of covid-19.

Speaker in the middle and other executive of NYP

The speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament Rt. Hon Mubarak Mijinyawa made this known in a press conference hold at the correspondent chapel of NUJ on their stand of youth on the issue of covid 19 and the committee of palliatives.

Said many positive cases tested are young people which make it necessary for them to lend their voices coupled with the need to co-opt youth in every committee set up by government in the fight against covid 19 because we believe that anything that concerns the youth should involved the youth.

Mijinyawa added that they would see no reason why government will shoot down places of worships across the nations and allow markets places to remain open where people are trooping more than the number of people that were attended the places of worships.

Also said government, corporate bodies, civil society youth groups and enlightened individuals at all levels should be more proactive in creating public awareness.

Mijinyawa further said government should begins to demonstrate high level of transparency and constant briefing on the issue of covid 19 and any other issue of urgent public importance.

According to Mijinyawa government should try and engage volunteers whose work will basically be ensuring public enlightenment and law enforcement, because up to now some people believes that Covid 19 does not exist.

COVID-19: AbilityPlus gives cash, food items to deaf women in FCT, trains them on hand sanitizer production

By
Agbo Christian
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0

By Chris Agbo, Abuja

AbillityPlus Initiative, the producers of AbillityPlus TV on NTAK( a Disability focused TV program on NTA) distributed food items to deaf women in Abuja. The event which took place on Tuesday at the city centre also witnessed the training of deaf women on how to make hand sanitizer so that they can be producing hand sanitizers for their households and for the market especially now that the product has become so expensive and business is highly rewarding.


The Executive Director, Ability Plus Initiative, Janet Fasakin in a chat with The Qualitative Magazine at the event said that ever since the Coronavirus pandemic started, its impact on the persons with disabilities(PWDs) is devastating, PWDs are most hit by the pandemic going by the effect of over one-month lockdown on PWDs.


Speaking further, the former Most Beautiful Deaf Girls Deaf in Nigeria said that her team took up the responsibility of providing palliative for the deaf women because of so many distress calls and messages received from deaf colleagues especially deaf women.

So, against all odds, we decided to pull the bull by the horn and do something to assist our members. So, we put up appeals to our partners and sponsors. Graciously, they didn’t hesitate to support us wholeheartedly. God bless them, she said.

Among those who supported are Mindfarm initiative lead by Mr Dapo Olotu(a pillar of support to us always), Hon Chidi Olujie foundation,,Olufemi Ige aka Senator through him, we did electronic cash transfer to some deaf women, T.O.L.A Foundation, ,Mr Olusegun Aluko a US based Philanthropist supported us with some cash token. It was through the support all these generous individuals that we were able to buy bags of rice that we distributed to 30 Deaf women who are in need, she said.


Apart from bringing succor through the food items distribution, the group also empowered them to ensure sustenance at this trying time by teaching them how to make hand sanitizers so that they can venture into the business especially now that making and selling Hand Sanitizers is a lucrative business. The group don’t want to just give them what to use but also want them sustain themselves afterwards. According to Janet, we want to teach them how to fish so that they can be able to catch more fish. She appreciated the Youth Corper, Martha who find time in this lockdown to come and teach deaf women the processes of making hand sanitizer.


Other items distributed are Idomie noodles , Spaghetti and face mask.
Over 20 beneficiaries got cash transfers from the group.

In conclusion, Janet believed that her group’s effort can go a long way to support these deaf women and she was hopeful that her team have put smiles on the faces of these women who always face discrimination in the larger society.
We are willing to do more because there are still many deaf women who are in need of help but we helped these ones within our received donations, it is our desire to sponsor at least 5 of them to establish business of making and selling hand sanitizers to boost their financial situation. As we are grateful to our donors and sponsors, we are pleading for more support to reach out to more PWDs, the reward for a good job is opportunity for more jobs, she said.


At the event, the group put protocol in place to maintain social Distancing and all the participants were putting on face mask.

The group are looking forward for more support and donations, contact them at Abilityplusinitiative@gmail.com.

COVID-19: Group brings succour to persons with disabilities in Plateau State

By
Agbo Christian
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0

By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos

With the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, hunger has equally gone on the increase, propelling Questbro Skills Initiative, to come to the aid of persons with disabilities (PWDs)in three Local Governments of Plateau State.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), “about 265 million people could be pushed into acute food insecurity”.

Speaking while presenting the food items to the beneficiaries who cut across Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs of the state, Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Brian Pam Lang, said they decided to come to the aid of PWDs, because during this pandemic, its not been easy for them to take care of their own needs.

Lang also said, as part of its, (Zero Hunger Project), which was ongoing before this pandemic broke out, its target was to ensure that citizens especially youths are empowered with the requisite skills to be self employed.

On the donation to persons with disabilities, he explained that, “So because we have to begin a journey of a thousand miles with a step, that is why we have decided to extend palliatives to PWDs.

“We are starting with three LGAs in Plateau Northern Senatorial District which are Jos South, Riyom and Barkin Ladi, where we are giving palliatives to 10 persons with disabilities from each of the councils for a start.

He added that beneficiaries of the palliatives consist of both religions, gender and carry along all persons with disabilities ( Deaf, Blind, Albino, Crippled, among others).

“So far we have been able to access a data base of PWDs in the Northern Senatorial Zone through the Plateau State Disability Rights Commission in the State”.

He assured that once there is more resources, they will extend their gesture to other vulnerable persons.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Plateau State Disability Rights Commission, Kerlyen Gurumyen, thanked the organisation for the gesture and appealed to well meaning individuals to emulate what the group has done.

Gurumyen who was represented by the Director of Rehabilitation in the Agency, Jang John Andrew, urged the beneficiaries to adhere to the ground rules laid down by government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their various communities.

Source: Authority

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