A 12-year-old deaf girl in India has told Open Doors USA of how she was beaten by her father and brother before eventually being kicked out of the family home simply for attending church.
The girl named only as Saree told the charity that her family had taken her to hospitals, Hindu temples and even to people who practised witchcraft to find a cure her deafness, all without success.
She was 11 when she was first persuaded to go to church by her Christian aunt who told her that her Hindu family were “not believers in the true God”.
When she went to the church, she experienced an unexpected miracle.
“The people were singing songs, and the preacher taught from the Word of God,” she said.
“I heard a little bit of sound, so I could understand a little of what was being said and sung. The songs made me happy.” At one point, she described being called to the front where she was prayed for.
“While they were praying, I could hear sounds. Slowly, the sounds became louder and louder. I also felt something coming to me. It came closer and closer. It was the presence of God,” she said.
“Then the sounds became really clear. I could hear everything. I was incredibly happy.”
But Saree’s mother was not happy and said that the family would not go to her aunt’s church despite what had happened. She also warned Saree to stop going, telling her that the family would be rejected by the other villagers.
“We won’t be able to buy any food or drinks anymore, and nobody will talk to us,” her mother said.
Saree said that although she continued to attend the church in secret, her brother soon found out and she was beaten.
“He and my father beat me and dragged me into the house,” Saree said.
“One time, I was carrying a Bible. He took it, threw it into the mud and beat me with a stick. Later I collected the Bible, wiped it clean and gave it to another believer. He kept it safe for me.
“Almost every time I went to church, my brother and father beat me,” she continued.
“About three months ago, they were fed up with me. My brother and father yelled: ‘If you continue to go to church, we will punish you!’ They beat and kicked me badly. Then they gave me some clothes and pushed me out the door. My father said, ‘You are not our daughter anymore.’”
She went to her aunt’s house but her mother found her and brought her back, only for her to be beaten again by her brother who apparently told her to “leave Jesus Christ” while he hit her with a stick and shoes.
She refused and fled again to her aunt’s where she continues to stay now, despite missing her family and not being able to go to school.
“Because of my persecution, I cannot go to school. I also miss my family a lot. I love my family, but they don’t accept me,” she said.
“I’ve seen them twice after they kicked me out. I went to see them, but my father doesn’t talk to me. My mother talks a little bit with me, but only my elder sister talks nicely. I didn’t see my brother.”
She told Open Doors that when she feels down, she thinks about the “fellowship” she has found in church.
“A believer sister told me, ‘Don’t leave Jesus Christ. We are here.’ She encouraged me from the Word of God. That strengthened me,” she said.(Christian today)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested Alhaji Abdulrauf Olarewaju Iliasu, a suspected fraudster on the Wanted List of a sister anti-corruption agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The suspect who is the National Coordinator, Federal Civil Service Staff with Disabilities Multipurpose Cooperative Society, has been remanded in prison custody over his alleged involvement in a N1.7 billion fraud on the order of a Senior Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.
EFCC had published the name and photograph of Iliasu on the Wanted List on its website for allegedly collecting the sum of N1.7billion under the guise of awarding contracts for the establishment of rehabilitation centers in the states of the federation.
The information on the EFCC website read: “The public is hereby notified that Alhaji Iliasu Olanrewaju Abdul-Rauf, the National Coordinator, Federal Civil Service Staff with Disabilities Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Abuja, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a case of impersonation, criminal conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, and money laundering.
“He allegedly collected the sum of One Billion and Seven Hundred Million Naira (N1.7Billion) under the guise of awarding contracts for the establishment of rehabilitation centers in the states of the Federation.
“Fair complexioned Abdul-Rauf has refused to honor all invitations by the EFCC and his whereabouts is unknown.
“His known addresses include; No.14, Dennis Osadebe street, Asokoro and No.1 & 2, Usman Danfodio Street, opposite Presidential Banquet Hall, both in Abuja.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the Commission in its Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices or through these numbers 09-4604620, 070-26350721,070-26350722,070-26350723,070-6350724, 070-26350725 ; its e-mail address: info@efccnigeria.org or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”
A statement issued by the ICPC on Wednesday, said Iliasu was “alleged to have been involved in multiple corrupt acts including bribery, breach of trust, criminal misappropriation and other frauds running into hundreds of millions of naira.
According to the commission, the suspect who is also facing multiple charges earlier pressed on him by ICPC has been on the run from some other security agencies in Nigeria.
ICPC also said a search conducted on the house of the suspect led to the rescue of 14 females between the ages of 11 and 33 locked up in ne of the rooms.
ICPC statement read: “After his arrest, a search of his house by operatives of the Commission revealed 14 females between the ages of 11 and 33 years, locked up in one of the rooms and were evacuated, after which they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further investigation.
“He is alleged to have used his position as the National Coordinator of persons with disabilities cooperative society to hoodwink contractors into donating cash and items such as wheelchairs, crutches, etc. as “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) for non-existent contracts.
“Some of the contractors are said to have paid as much as N50 million as the “CSR”, while others delivered large numbers of items to him.
“The Commission, in the motion filed before the court, stated that Abdul-Rauf allegedly failed to rehabilitate ‘disability centres” across the country after collecting N1.7 billion from various contractors under the guise of awarding contracts for the project.
ICPC further noted that Abdul-Rauf had a history of running from the law, having absconded after an earlier charge had been filed against him by the Commission. The motion, therefore, added that the remand would prevent his escape a second time pending the completion of investigation.
“The Commission hereby uses this opportunity to urge contractors and businessmen to always verify the genuineness and authenticity of contracts offered or proposed to them with relevant government agencies in order not to fall victim of fraudsters.”
Our correspondent could however not confirm at the time of filing this report whether the Federal Civil Service Staff with Disabilities Multipurpose Cooperative Society, where Iliasu serves as National Coordinator, is an agency of the federal government or a fraudulent enterprise meant to defraud unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of helping the persons with disabilities.(Thisday)
Ekiti State government has been advised to equip all hospitals in the state with necessary facilities that can make them accessible to people living with disabilities.
This is part of resolutions reached at the end of a one day programme on Awareness on Disability Issues and Accessibility of Health Care Services by People with Disabilities in Ekiti state organized by the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities and supported by Disability Rights Fund.
The contributions of participants at the programme as well as the report of a survey by the Centre For Citizens with Disabilities confirmed that most of the government hospitals were designed without consideration to the challenges of Persons living with Disabilities.Also Trending on Roundoffnews..
This according to them is contrary to the Rights to Health as stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Right of persons with Disabilities in which Nigeria is a signatory
The report of the CCD shows that hospitals in the state lacked Ramp which could enable patient on wheel chair gets to clinics without stress, as well as signed interpreters or devices which could ensure effective communication between health officials and patients who were having one challenge or the other.
In addition the CCD report affirmed the fact that most of the health officials were not properly trained on how to handle cases of persons with Disabilities while there are no personnel and facilities to handle some diseases such as skin cancer which is applicable to albinos.
In there separate comments at the programme, the participants explained that the non availability of relevant facilities in the hospitals had denied them access to qualitative health care services hence the need for government to address the situation.
In an interview, the Senior Programme Officer of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities Mr Kola Ogubiyi explained that the present government of Ekiti state had shown improved attention to the issue of persons with Disabilities but a lot still needed to be done to meet up with required standard.
Mr Ogubiyi appealed to government to look into the recommendations of the Centre and implement them towards ensuring better life for the PWDs.
Kola Ogubiyi
In his contribution, the Ekiti State Secretary for the Joint National Association of People With Disabilities, (JONAPWD), Mr Funso Olajide had appealed to Ekiti Gov., Dr Kayode Fayemi to subsidize the health bills of persons with disabilities.
He called for a change in the current charity model to the human right model in the handling of issues concerning PWDs.
Mr Olajide noted that health care services by PWDs was beyond seeing a doctor in hospitals, adding that such services must be accessed without any barrier.
Earlier in his message of goodwill, the Ekiti Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Value Orientation, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua restated the commitment of the present administration to improving the wellbeing of PWDs in the state.
“I can assure that government has a lot of regards for special persons and will do everything possible to better their lots.
” On the issue of withdrawal of health personnels at the special schools, I can assure you that government will do something in no distant time to resolve it,” Olumilua said.
Participants.
In a remark, the Special Adviser to Ekiti Governor on Sustainable Development Goals,(SDG), Mr Abimbola Solanke assured the PWDs of access to health care services in the state in line with the SDG’s Goal 3.
The programme was attended by all clusters of the PWDs in the Ekiti(Roundoffnews)
Several persons were injured when a loaded trailer collided with a bus belonging to the Bus Rapid Transport scheme along the Ikorodu Road on Tuesday.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, the trailer, which belonged to Dangote skidded off the main carriageway to collide with the bus, which was in its own corridor.
Sharing photos from the crash, LASTMA revealed that the injured had been taken to the hospital and also that the accident caused traffic gridlock on the road.
JONAPWD Anambra state chapter under the leadership of Comr.
Ugochukwu Okeke witnessed another free, fair and credible election at Onitsha
North LGA Chapter on Friday 23rd day of August, 2019 in the council hall of
their local government Secretariat.
The following were the newly elected officers of JONAPWD
Onitsha North LGA;
1. Chude Emmanuel Chukwuebuka – Chairman
2. Nwanolue Augustine – Vice Chairman
3. Nwokedi Agom Felicia – Secretary
4. Okeke Nnamdi Edwin – Assistant Secretary
5. Onyemaizu Nkoli- Financial Secretary
6. Agu Chinwe – Treasurer
7. Uka Kelechukwu D. – PRO I
8. Maduekwe Arinze – PRO II.
All the clusters were fully represented in their newly
elected officials.
The high point of the event was the Oath taking by the newly
elected executive members and the the inauguration of Local government
chapter.
The state chairman who charged them to render selfless
services to their member as well as being transparent in all their deals was
accompanied to the memorable event by the following;
1. Nwagwu Amobichukwu -State Chairman NNAD
2. Okanmelu Ernest – NAB state Chairman 3. Nwanokwara Ncheta
– Financial Secretary
4. Hon. Collins Joseph – SA to Governor on Sign Language Communication and the former State JONAPWD chairman who is also an indigen of Onitsha North LGA.
It was indeed heartwarming that the representative of the
Council Chairman-Engr.Emma Okolo who is the Head of Local Government Administration
and the HOD, Education and Social Development – Dr. Mrs. Ofojebe among other dignitaries
graced the occasion. In their separate speeches after their inauguration, the
chairman of the local government extolled Anambra state chapter of JONAPWD and
its leadership for their good works and affirmed their local government
readiness to make necessary provisions that will take care of Persons with
disabilities in the local government while Dr Mrs Ofojebe admonished all the
members present to shun self-pity and embrace self-development in order to
conquer their disabilities. Another interested side of the events was the
demonstration of ability in disabilities by two visually impaired members that
showcased how they can produce detergents and electric multipurpose extension
wire respectively which attracted the promise of the Council chairman to
provide a space for them within the Local Govt for their productions and as
well training of others.
Finally, Mr Chude on behalf of other elected members appeal to their LG authority to give the subvention and scholarship among other things and promised quality service delivery to their members who voted them into power.
Centre for Citizens with disabilities in conjunction with Dew Drop Foundation and Women Health and Equal Right Initiatives on Thursday organized a peer hearing programme where the three organizations listened to themselves in order to put ideas together to compete for a grant of twenty-five thousand dollars with other countries in Netherlands. All the selected proposals will get grant of Five thousand dollar but the overall best will get additional twenty thousand dollars. The grant will be used to carry out programmes in the based country of the organizations that won the grant.
On 23rd of June 2019, we published a story of a young
man with disability Haruna Tata who got an admission to study in the University
but there was no money which we captioned I’M ABOUT TO LOSE MY UNIVERSITY
ADMISSION DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS, A YOUNG MAN WITH DISABILITY CRIES OUT www.qualitativemagazine.com/?p=1229.
He called us and asked if we can be of help. We didn’t have money to give so we
decided to interview him and publish his story seeking for assistance from the
public. We had an exclusive interview with him which sparked up interest from many
after we received a lot of call for enquiries, nobody reached out to him at
that time.
We were afraid that he may not get the help after all until last week, we
got a call from his state Yobe, Mohammed Abass Isa, a leader in disability
community in Yobe State called us and asked us to forward Haruna Tata’s name
and phone number and we did.
To our greatest surprise beyond our expectations, Haruna Tata was
selected by The Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni as one of the 20 beneficiaries of
scholarship to go to Turkey for his University Education.
The little we are doing in The Qualitative Magazine is changing lives and
building hopes, we will continue to do our best and we pray that God will
continue to use us to empower people with disabilities and society at large.
We say congratulations to Haruna Tata.
Here is Haruna Tata showing gratitude to The Publisher of The Qualitative Magazine via WhatsApp
Alhaji Nahuche during a peace talk at National Human Rights Commission
The crisis rocking Joint National Association of persons
with disabilities has taken another twist as two members of the BOT has distant
themselves from the disclaimer filed by the Board of Trustees recently dissociating
self from the two self-acclaimed Presidents alluding that the constitution in
which two elections were conducted for the association is wrongly amended and
as such it can’t stand as the authentic constitution of the association.
The Qualitative Magazine in its quest to unravel the misery behind
the irreconcilable situation of JONAPWD interviewed a member of BOT Alhaji Nahuche
A. Usman when a disclaimer distancing him and another BOT member Madam Ene the
disclaimer earlier issued by BOT surfaced and he gave his perceptive on the
issues. Alhaji Nahuche Usman is a deaf, a former permanent secretary in Zamfara
state and a member of Board of Trustees, JONAPWD.
Sir, I want to interview you on some concerns in JONAPWD?
I will gladly grant the interview
Sir, there is a disclaimer going round which our media
outfit also laid hands on and published, we assumed that You are aware of it?
Yes, I am aware of it, the truth is that the Board never sat
and agreed to write the letter released by Adelabu and Omotunde. Furthermore,
during our meetings called by CBM to find a way out of the problem. Two of them
were advised to stop writing and they agreed and apologized.
There is another disclaimer I came across that was
alleged that it is signed by you and Madam Ene, is it truly from you two?
For avoidance of doubt the board never held a meeting
independently and agreed to write that letter in contention hence the disclaimer
to absolve ourselves. I sent my signature electronically. I am not afraid of
stating the fact. I challenge Omotunde and Adelabu to tell us where we sat and
agreed as stated
Sir, In that disclaimer they released, they raised some
salient points such as the constitution amended by Barrister Danlami Basharu
was made for self, he didn’t follow due process and as such it lack merit and
cannot be said to be the constitution of JONAPWD, the effect is that all the
elections conducted using the constitution were illegal. What is your take on
this important point they raised?
Well… who caused that? Weren’t they aware of that before the
election of Danlami up to this time? In fact, from the very beginning. If the
constitution was defective why did all parties agreed to hold the election and
even participated in both Electoral Committee and Congress Planning Committee?
What is your stand on this, what do you think is the way
out of this crisis since even the BOT that you are a member is also divided in
this issue? How do we come out of this to ensure that JONAPWD doesn’t die?
What I think that will help us get out of this crisis is
being honest with each other. The division in the BOT is because the two others
are taking decisions without carrying others along.
The Chairman and Secretary of BOT have always said that
you were informed of all their decision but if you say that you are not being
carried along, what do you think, could be their reasons?
I challenge them to release any document to back up their
claim, I don’t really know their reasons, you should ask them the question
You agreed that there is error in the constitutional
amendment by Barrister Danlami just that these didn’t raise it until it was
used for several elections. You said that they all accepted this perceived error
and they allowed it but if I may ask, do we now continue with this error knowing
fully well that it has contributed in no small measure to the crisis we are
witnessing today. I ask do we move on with this faulty constitution?
Although I don’t know where the error is…My
position is that if they knew that was an error in the process of the amendment
why didn’t they raise it and see that it is rectified until after election? To
me it is an afterthought if not what is it?
By this statement, what then do you think will be done to
resolve the issue, how are we going to have a way out? Will JONAPWD continue to
stay without a leadership? Don’t you think that these two members of BOT are
trying to return JONAPWD to a neutral state whereby there will be a new transition
when these two persons claiming leadership must have step aside?
When my two other members of BOT stop writing all these
letters and have an open mind and allow BOT function as one, I believe we can
sort all the problem.
Do you believe in the restructuring and reformation of
JONAPWD many are clamouring for?
Yes, I think if it is done in good faith and to enable
JONAPWD meet the yearnings of the people with disabilities in Nigeria.
Don’t you think that for JONAPWD to be reformed and
restructured, JONAPWD needs to purge itself and one way to do that is to get it
right constitutionally and it has to leave its wrong old ways and introduce
entirely a new way?
Yes, I believe so, because there is some vested interest who
do not know the doctrine of “Let go”.
Well spoken Sir, the community expect BOT to work
together for the good of many, but sir, there is rumor making round that you
and Madam Ene have taken side on this issue like they said that you are holding
an opinion that somebody refused to LET GO that’s why the crisis have persists.
Sir, is this rumor anything to go by?
How do you say I and
Ene have taken side with Ekaete?
I didn’t say so, it’s a rumor, what people are saying? I only
want to know the true situation of things
Do they have proof? we only disagreed on the way they keep
writing without having full board meeting. Besides doesn’t it also mean that
they are taking side with Iyodo as well.
The issue here is that during one of the meeting with CBM, I
and Ene were mandated to talk to Ekaette and Adelabu/omotunde were mandated to
talk to Iyodo with a view of bringing them together to sort our problem and
disagreement. Can in all honesty that mean I’m siding with Ekaette? Don’t it
also mean Omotunde and Adelabu are also siding with Iyodo.
During the last meeting with CBM we succeed in bringing them
to the table and asked them to go and discuss and revert in 2weeks the deadline
is this coming Friday only for Omotunde and Adelabu to start writing everywhere
where is honesty?
Sir, as a member of BOT,
what promise do you have for Nigerians with disabilities on what you will do to
ensure that this problem is resolved in couple of days to come?
I will only say I will do my best within the circumstances
and pray that this issue is resolved. Everything on the earth has solutions. I pray that we shun sentiments. Thank you very
much
Thank you, sir,
for giving us your perceptive to this issue.
You’re welcome, Thank you very much
Thank you
SEE THE DISCLAIMER SIGNED BY ALHAJI NAHUCHE USMAN AND MRS ENE EDE DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM THE DISCLAIMER FILED EARLIER BY THE BOT
Persons with disabilities in Anambra state have lauded Gov. Willie Obiano for providing good healthcare facilities in the state in an attempt to reduce incidences leading to disability conditions.
ChuksEzewuzie, the Anambra state senior special adviser to the governor on disability matters, said that the lives of most persons with disabilities would have been better managed if they had access to good medical care in a good healthcare facilities when they discover or are diagnosed with disease or situation that resulted in their deformity or disabling condition.
Chuks added that he would not be blind today if he received good medical care when measles attacked his eyes which caused him to lose his sights.
“90% of persons with visual impairment in Anambra State share this same story. The other 10% may have resulted from mismanaged diabetes melytus infection, cataract and glaucoma surgeries or other accidental events.” He disclosed.
Gov. Obiano on the right hand side ChuksEzewuzie his Senior Special Adviser on Disability Matters
“This is why we celebrate the reconstruction and upgrade of Immaculate Heart Multi-specialty hospital, Aguleri as a landmark investment in disability prevention.”
He futher noted that the unaffordability of existing healthcare centres is a factor in losing the fight against self-medication, improper diagnosis and substandard treatment which create deformity responsible for temporary or permanent disabilities.
Describing Gov. Obiano as the “consoler”, he says “Gov. Obiano has made two grand breaking achievements in disability prevention. The first was the introduction of Anambra State American Patterned health Insurance Scheme. Unaffordability of existing medical care is a major factor in the losing war against self-medication, improper diagnosis and substandard treatment which create deformity responsible for temporary or permanent disabilities.”
“The Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, without excluding pre-existing health condition, is more affordable than any such programs in the developed world. Just one thousand naira a month (twelve thousand naira a year) buys the coverage for all known conditions. Can there be any better gift from Ndi Anambra in diaspora to their loved ones in Anambra State?”
The SSA lauded Governor Obiano’s investment in Healthcare as he said that the investment is expected to minimize disabilities and reduce the statistics in Anambra State.
“It is estimated that 27 million Nigerians are living with disabilities, that is about 14% of Nigerian population as of 2019. Governor Willie Obiano ‘s investment in Health care is expected to minimize disabilities and reduce the statistics in Anambra State.” He concluded. (Inclusivenews)
The House of Representatives is considering a bill to make the Federal Government’s ministries, departments and agencies to reserve 20 per cent of job slots for physically-challenged Nigerians.
The law is being proposed in a bill sponsored by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The Physically Challenged (Empowerment) Bill 2017, which was first presented in the Eighth National Assembly, was reintroduced and passed the first reading in July 2019.(PUNCH)
