Comrade Ibrahim Arome (Kogi State Chairman of Joint National
Association of Persons with Disabilities) led an advocacy visit to Hon Muhammed
Dan-Asebe, the chairman of Lokoja Local Government in which he made a special
request for the chairman to appoint persons with disabilities into his cabinet and
the chairman made a promise to do so.
On 19th August, 2019, the Chairman kept his
promise by appointing a male and female with disabilities as senior special assistant
(SSA) to serve in his cabinet and the appointment is with immediate effect. The
beneficiaries were Hon. (Mrs) Salamatu Yakubu and Hon. (Malam) Zubeiru.
The Board Of Trustees of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has written to CAC in a letter titled DISCLAIMER NOTICE FILED AGAINST MS. JUDITH EKAETE UMOH AND BARR YUSUF IYODO.
The BOT in a letter dated 14th
August, 2019 signed by the Chairman of BOT Prince Adelabu and the Secretary
Miss Omotunde Ellen Thompson stated that the election conducted in 2014 which
brought in Miss Ekaete Judith Umoh as a president of JONAPWD was done with a
concocted constitution by Barrister Danlami Basharu which was illegal and wrong
and in 2018, Ms. Judith Ekaete Umoh, used the same Barr. Danlami Basharu’s
wrong Constitution to conduct an election, which today, Both Barr. Yusuf Iyodo
and Ms. Judith Ekaete Umoh, has been unconstitutionally and illegally, claiming
to be winners of that Presidential Election.
In their letter, they stated that Danlami Basharu’s
Constitution was wrong and illegal because when he amended it, it was for his selfish, personal gains, which resulted
to his unconstitutional term elongation in the office to three terms, after he
finished serving his two terms, he was stopped through a massive home-based and
Diaspora leaders objection to such unconstitutional extension, as a result,
Barr. Danlami Basharu, failed to present it to Board of Trustees and JONAPWD
Congress for adoption. He also failed to submit it to the Corporate Affairs
Commission for approval and fillings, as mandated by the CAMA/CAC section 600.
In view of the above, the BOT have filed a disclaimer notice
on the Miss Ekaete Umoh and Barrister Yusuf Iyodo to stop laying claim to
having won election as president of JONAPWD. Their Claims were wrong, illegal
and unconstitutional.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, UK, has described the attack on former Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu in Nuremberg, Germany, by members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a taboo.
Some IPOB members attacked Ekweremadu on Saturday where he was a special guest at the second annual Igbo Cultural Festival in Nuremberg, Germany.
Dr Nnanna Igwe , the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, UK, condemned the attack in a statement issued in London on Sunday and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
The group described the attack as shocking and sordid and added that it was disappointing that the group claimed responsibility for the act.
“This act is totally and wholesomely condemnable and has no place in a democratic and civilised society.
“Sen. Ekweremadu has been a responsible leader and strong voice for Ndigbo in Nigeria; he helped negotiate the bail of Nnamdi Kanu and secured his freedom.
“The Cultural Festival in Germany by Ndigbo was an opportunity to showcase Igbo greatness via our noble culture and tradition worthy of emulation.
“The disruption of the cultural fiesta, the altercation and associated pandemonium are taboo to Ndigbo and presented Ndigbo in bad light and damaging blow to Igbo image across the world.
”This uncivilised action portrayed us as miscreants, barbaric and violent people,” Igwe said.
He called on Igbo worldwide to always use dialogue in resolving disputes or differences, noting that further threat on Igbo Leaders by IPOB was unacceptable and should be abandoned forthwith.
Igwe further urged Ndigbo to embrace peace, unity, love, dialogue, diplomacy and respect for one another, especially at this time the Igbo faced unusual collective challenges as a people
He called for the prosecution of the perpetrators of the attack to serve as deterrent to others who might wish to indulge in such act in the future.
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nnia Nwodo, had criticised IPOB over the attack saying “the attack strengthens the case of those who describe them as terrorists.”
He described the assault on Ekweremadu as disappointing, grotesque and dangerous for Igbo solidarity.
Other members of the society, including the President of the Senate Sen. Ahmad Lawan, and South East Governors’ Forum, have condemned the attack.
The vice chancellor Nigeria Army University Biu, Professor
David Iliya Malgwai said construction of roads would boast socio economic
activities of a common man for easy transportation.
The Vice chancellor made the remarks in Biu while briefing
news men after the successful Commissioningf a road connecting student’s
hostels to the second gate of Abogo Largema Barracks in Biu Borno state.
He said that the road
would not only ease movement in the University for staff and students but will
bring development to the Barracks and its environs especially in terms of
commercial activities and socio-economic development.
Professor Malgwi, use this opportunity to request for urgent
intervention of the executive governor of
Borno state Professor Umaru Zulum
through the Chairman of Biu local government area, and other Chairmen of LGA
include Kwaya kusar, Hawul and Bayo to assist in the rehabilitation of the road
linking the gate of the hostel through Birma Jikwal and Galdimare Wards to the
main road which is about eight kilometer.
“ Construction of these road will assist the School Buses,
and other commercial vehicles will now start daily conveyance of student, staff
and other commuters with vigour through this linking road” he added.
He commended the efforts of the former governor Kashim
Shettima for given them land where the University is located as he was at the
venue during the ground breaking with the present governor Zulum who succeeded
him.
The Director Fiscal
Planning of the
University Rtd Col Rames Gwom Marcus Dung, said if the road were constructed it
will link the people of the area to the barrack.
In his vote of thanks the Registrar of the University
Brigadier general Sani Sama’ila Ibrahim, said the commissioning of the road is
a milestone to the University as it has one thousand student’s in place, he
said they will admits more than 200 students between October and November.
In his remarks the local government Council Chairman Ali
Usman Dikwa, assured of his council support for the assistance for the
actualization of the project.
Patience Ajeh, who spoke on behalf of the students, thanked
President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief of Army staff TY Buratai and the Management
of the University for the Project.
Ekweremmadu almost beaten up by angry IPOB members
The immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu has confirmed a physical assault on him by some members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, in Nuremberg, Germany, on Saturday.
Enweremadu confirmed the attack in a statement released by his Media Assistant, Uche Anichukwu in Abuja.
The News Agency o Nigeria (NAN) reports that a 64-second video about the attack had gone viral on the social media earlier on Saturday.
In the video, Ekweremadu was seen being violently questioned over his alleged conspiracy with the Federal Government to proscribe the IPOB in the South East and killing several of its followers.
NAN further reports that there were initial speculations on the veracity of the video where the senator was attacked with eggs by the irate IPOB members.
The Senator who also gave account of the event on his social media handle, @iamekweremadu, however, assured that he was safe.
He condemned the attack and said he had immediately reported it to the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Mr Yusuf Tuggar.
He said: “I attended the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany in Nuremberg today where I was billed to give a keynote address along with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who, however could not make it eventually.
“I was given a resounding welcome by Ndigbo in Germany and everything went smoothly until some men, who identified themselves as IPOB members stormed the venue and began to complain about the killings in the South East, stressing that there would be no Igbo event at the venue.
“I tried to engage them, but when they became unruly, I had to leave the venue. The organisers also invited the police and I was accompanied out of the venue.
“Much as I am disappointed in their conduct, especially as I am one of the persons, who have spoken up on justice for Ndigbo, the Python Dance, judicial killings in Igbo land and elsewhere both on the floor of the Senate and in my written and personal engagements with the Presidency and the media as well as rallied the South East Senate Caucus to secure Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe taking him on bail to douse tension in the South East, I nevertheless do not hold this to heart against them, for they know not what they do.
“I have received thousands of solidarity calls and messages from well meaning Ndigbo. I want to assure them that I am hail and hearty. I have also spoken with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.”
Comrade Mohammed Abass Isa is a renowned disability rights advocate
and APC Zonal Special leader Northeast APC Zonal Special leader Northeast. He
informed the members of National Association of persons with physical
disability (NAPWPD) Yobe state chapter, that the most disability friendly
Governor, Governor Mai Mala Buni the executive governor of Yobe State has
approved the selection of twenty (20) Perrsons with physical disability across
all local government of the state who passed with 5 credit including Maths and
English in their O’level for immediate consideration for travelling to Turkey
for their university studies under Yobe State Undergraduate Scholarship Program.
While he commends the governor’s gesture, he also wants to
use the opportunity to inform other disbility clusters that the selection is
ongoing so subsequently other clusters would be considered.
This gesture from Yobe State Governor is first of its kind
in the entire country so, we encourage other state governors to emulate him.
On Friday 16th August, 2019, The JONAPWD Anambra state
chairman Hon.Ugochukwu Ernest Okeke and some of the state exco members
conducted another successful LG election in Nnewi south LGA, the election took
place in their local government secretariat Ukpor, and to the glory of God Ms
Okoli Martha was elected as the chairperson together with 8 other exco
members to pilot the affairs of Nnewi
south JONAPWD for the next four years.
The people that attended the election with the state
chairman were NNAD state chairman, Mr Amobi Nwagwu. NAB state representative,
Igwegbe Ifeanyi including the Fin sec, Ncheta
Nwanokwara and a sign language interpreter Mr Emma. Others that
witnessed the exercise are HOD Social welfare Nnewi South LG and one of the
patrons of Nnewi south JONAPWD Mr David.
All the clusters were
fully represented in the new excos. JONAPWD Anambra expressed gratitude to the
Chairman of the local Government Hon.Chieloka Okoye for his support and love to
our members, and also expressed joy for co-operation of the HOD social welfare
-Mrs Kate Ufondu and pray God to bless them abundantly.
The Qualitative Magazine learnt from the JONAPWD state Publici Relations Officer Ifeanyi Igwegbe that JONAPWD Nnewi South donated the sum of N2, 750 in support of the free will donation for our sick members.
It was all celebration and smiles for people with disability in
Kogi State as Mr. Abdulazeez Danjuma, a polio survivor today 15th
August, 2019 got married his beautiful friend at Eganyi in Ajaokuta LGA of Kogi
State.
The marriage ceremony witnessed huge attendance of persons with
disabilities from Kogi State led by State Chairman of JONAPWD, Arome Ibro and the
ceremony was success.
We wish Mr and Mrs Abdulazeez Danjuma happy married life and we
pray that God bless their marriage.
Meanwhile, this is a pointer that It is wrong for a woman to reject a man for
marriage on the ground of disability and it is also wrong for a man to do same
to a woman because of disability.
We salute the courage of Mrs Danjuma and urge the public to
emulate her and many others who have dared all circumstances to settle for a
man or woman with disability.
Disability is not fault of those living with it, God made all of us and he
created each one of us for a purpose so if one has any form of disability, it
should degrade that person in any way.
Many of us who still have this negative perception should change it and see every one as the same irrespective of their physical appearance and challenges.
A PAPER PRESENTED BY DR. CHRISTOPHER NWANORO THE PRESIDENT, LOTUS
INITIATIVE FOR THE BLIND ON THE TOPIC “EDUCATION A KEY FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE”
AT THE 2019 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY SYMPOSIUM ORGAINZED BY THE AFRICA-ASIA
YOUTH FOUNDATION AT GALGOTIAS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, GREATER
NOIDA, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA ON 14TH AUGUST, 2019.
EDUCATION A KEY FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Education has a long history as an international priority,
and the right to education was first enshrined in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights in 1948. Improving education and ensuring all people are afforded
a high standard of education will be reaffirmed as a key global goal of development
under the post-2015 development agenda. The recent synthesis report of the UNSG
on the post-2015 development agenda stated that “high-quality education and
life-long learning” and the capacity of teachers are key factors in empowering
youth as a “globally connected engine for change” (UNSG, 2014: 21-2). In fact,
many people around the world believe that education is the most important goal
for this agenda, at ‘My World 2015’ individuals can rank their top priorities
for the agenda. Over 7.6 million people have voted, and of the sixteen
potential priorities, provision of good education is consistently ranked as the
highest priority across all cohorts and has received prioritization by over
two-thirds of all voters. We will focus on the current proposal forSDGon education and the Education 2030
agenda with a critical perspective on how they may best galvanize the
achievement of sustainable development in an integrated and inclusive manner.
Education serves as an
important means of implementation for sustainable human development due to the
number of positive benefits it brings across the development goals.
Improvements in education clearly aid in poverty reduction and economic growth.
At an individual level, each additional year of schooling strengthens individual
earning potential by an average of 10%. At a national level, an increase in
average school attainment by one year has a demonstrated correlation to a 0.58%
increase in national GDP per capita growth rates. However, quality improvements
in education provide an even more significant boost to economic growth compared
to simply increasing attainment. Education is also an important means of
implementation for sustainable development, and it provides an important
construct where the perceived tensions between economic, social and
environmental development can be harmonized and integrated into a single
concept and pursuit of sustainable well-being for all. This goes beyond
education being named as a single SDG, thus requiring better understanding of
education’s role as a cross-cutting means of implementation to strengthen
achievements across many other goals. “The SDGs call on governments to take a
fresh look at the content of education. Education will be the lynchpin of a
sustainable development agenda whose success relies on individuals, throughout
their lifetime, acquiring relevant knowledge and developing positive attitudes
to address global challenges.
Education
for Sustainable Development (ESD) is an interdisciplinary learning methodology
covering the integrated social, economic, and environmental aspects. The
concept of sustainable development emerged as a response to a growing concern
about human society’s impact on the natural environment. The concept of
sustainable development was defined in 1987 by the Brundtland Commission
(formally the World Commission on Environment and Development) as ‘development
that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs’(Brundtland,
1987). This definition acknowledges that while
development may be necessary to meet human needs and improve the quality of
life, it must happen without depleting the capacity of the natural environment
to meet present and future needs. The sustainable development movement has
grown and campaigned on the basis that sustainability protects both the
interests of future generations and the earth’s capacity to regenerate. At
first it emphasized the environment in development policies but, since 2002,
has evolved to encompass social justice and the fight against poverty as key
principles of sustainable development.
Good quality education is an essential tool
for achieving a more sustainable world. This was emphasized at the UN
World Summit in Johannesburg in 2002 where the reorientation of current
education systems was outlined as key to sustainable development. Education
for sustainable development ESD promotes the development of the knowledge,
skills, understanding, values and actions required creating a sustainable
world, which ensures environmental protection and conservation, promotes social
equity and encourages economic sustainability. The concept of ESD
developed largely from environmental education, which has sought to develop the
knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and behaviors in people to care for their
environment. The aim of ESD is to enable people to make decisions and
carry out actions to improve our quality of life without compromising the
planet. It also aims to integrate the values inherent in sustainable
development into all aspects and levels of learning. With
a world population of 7 billion people and limited natural resources, we, as
individuals and societies need to learn to live together sustainably. We need
to take action responsibly based on the understanding that what we do today can
have implications on the lives of people and the planet in future.
Education for
Sustainable Development (ESD) empowers people to change the way they think and
work towards a sustainable future. It aims to improve access to quality
education on sustainable development at all levels and in all social contexts,
to transform society by reorienting education and help people develop
knowledge, skills, values and behaviors needed for sustainable development. It
is about including sustainable development issues, such as climate change and
biodiversity into teaching and learning. Individuals are encouraged to be
responsible actors who resolve challenges, respect cultural diversity and
contribute to creating a more sustainable world. A strong education system broadens access to
opportunities, improves health, and bolsters the resilience of communities –
all while fueling economic growth in a way that can reinforce and accelerate
these processes. Moreover, education provides the skills people need to thrive
in the new sustainable economy, working in areas such as renewable energy,
smart agriculture, forest rehabilitation, the design of resource-efficient
cities, and sound management of healthy ecosystems.
Most importantly, education can bring about a fundamental
shift in how we think, act, and discharge our responsibilities toward one
another and the planet. After all, while financial incentives, targeted
policies, and technological innovation are needed to catalyze new ways of
producing and consuming, they cannot reshape people’s value systems so that
they willingly uphold and advance the principles of sustainable development.
Schools, however, can nurture a new generation of environmentally savvy
citizens to support the transition to a prosperous and sustainable future. Since
the United Nations declared 2005 – 2014 as the decade for Education for
Sustainable Development, the subject has been a hot topic in schools.
Converse to the traditional way of teaching, Education for Sustainable
Development means adopting a more holistic approach to education with the aim
of ‘creating a better world for this generation and future generations of all
living things on planet Earth’. This allows every child to acquire the
knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable
future. Humans tend to look at development as a needed and normal process, but
when this process becomes increasingly dependent on over-exploitation of our
natural resources, the replenishment of these reserves and supplies is
affected; and managing this imbalance demands assuming a slightly different
school of thought. One way to cultivate this mindset in our youngsters is by
encouraging sustainable lifestyles through Education for Sustainable
Development.
Living sustainably is
about changing our attitudes in a way that helps transform our lives into
something that doesn’t impact too heavily on our current routines, while using
the planet’s resources in moderation. Education for Sustainable
Development incorporates key environmental challenges like climate change into
core subjects like math, science and art, and involves modifying the
teaching-learning process to a more all-encompassing approach. Students are
thus able to relate what they learn in the classroom to their real life
actions, and will increasingly be in a better position to take the lead in
changing behaviors and adopting sustainable lifestyles, the more this type of
education is adopted. As schools no longer function in isolation, their
integration with the world outside has exposed students to different people and
cultures’, giving them the opportunity to appreciate what the planet offers,
while respecting the need to use resources efficiently and responsibly. The
decade of Education for Sustainable Development is already proving popular with
thousands of students across the world taking part in environmental education.
Evident example of how environmental education is helping to shape a sustainable
future is from an Eco-School in the UAE recently awarded the Green Flag, a
symbol of excellence in environmental performance. These students identified
the need for more wall space to spread environmental awareness messages in
their school, so they created a huge mobile wall of used cartons piled one
above the other! Besides reducing the amount of waste produced in their school
and saving school funds, these students put forward the important message
within their school community and beyond, of thinking innovatively to make
maximum use of available and reusable resources.
Education for Sustainable Development is not only about being
environmentally-friendly; it also involves developing life-skills including
leadership, communication and management; all of which are extremely important
for personal development. By equipping young people with these relevant
capabilities in addition to their environmental knowledge, they can excel at
living lives which not only further humanity, but that care for and respect our
planet’s resources too. Education for Sustainable Development can help
change our future. Continued support from authorities, appropriate policies and
laws, responsible action by individuals and communities, and above all a deep
compassion for our planet will together serve to alleviate the global
environmental crises we face today.
This type of learning goes beyond the school. What a child learns during this
process shouldn’t stop there – it must be practiced by the family too. Wise use
of water and energy both at home and in the work place must be part of our
natural behaviour as parents and care-givers.
Finally,
education can bring about a fundamental shift in how we think, act, and
discharge our responsibilities toward one another and the planet. After all,
while financial incentives, targeted policies, and technological innovation are
needed to catalyze new ways of producing and consuming, they cannot reshape
people’s value systems so that they willingly uphold and advance the principles
of sustainable development. Schools, however, can nurture a new generation of
environmentally savvy citizens to support the transition to a prosperous and
sustainable future. We cannot secure a sustainable future in a matter of
months. But, with a well-designed set of commitments and targets, we can move
onto the right path. And, with effective educational programs that instill in
future generations the importance of restoring Earth’s balance and delivering a
prosperous future for the many, rather than the few, we can stay on that path. Greater efforts must be put in by
families and communities to reduce waste, recycle regularly and opt for public
transport to demonstrate the importance to our children of living more
sustainably. Our homes and communities can be the ideal platform for children
to exercise and experience what they learn in the classroom. Thank You
Hi. It’s me again Amaka. How have you been? Hope you enjoyed
the holidays? I enjoyed mine with a digital summit.
So, this particular episode is more like a rant and I
believe it’s something most persons living with disabilities can relate with.
The other day, I saw a post on LinkedIn about seeing beyond one’s
disability and it reminded me of many times I have been in similar situations
which I will share some with you.
Once, I walked into an office and met a beautiful
receptionist who had an amazing smile. Well I wasn’t there to see her though I wished
otherwise. Someone had directed me to her manager and no matter how warm her
welcome was, I had to go in to see the manager.
She ushered me into the manager’s office and the nice-looking
man who was sitting behind the desk did something that was ‘extraordinary’. He
stood up as I walked up to his desk, in my mind I was already thinking “oh
what a polite gentleman”. If only I knew.
I greeted him and the response he had for me ran in the
lines of; “Oh I’m so sorry. What happened to your leg?”.
Another time, I entered a public transport and one elderly,
kindhearted grandma sitting beside me was badgering me about how I became
physically challenged and whether or not it was an accident or my village
people. Her voice also happened to be louder than your local church microphone
so be rest assured that every occupant of the bus was privy to her amebo 101.
Now these occurrences may sound sympathetic in your ears, it
may also prompt you to think in the lines of caring, kindhearted, emphatic,
thoughtful etc. You might even be asking “ehen so what’s wrong with that
na?”.
Omo everything dey wrong with that o. Really! How pathetic
is it that you meet someone for the first time and your first point of
conversation is their physical appearance.
What happened to courtesy?
Who told you I owe you an explanation of how I sustained a
disability?
Where did you get the idea that I would want to share
something as intimate as my disability with a total stranger?
Is there nothing else you see in me asides disability?
Are there no other qualifications I possess that could form
a conversation?
Are you totally blind that you can’t see my beautiful smiles
and comment on that!
You still have doubts about me not owing you any explanations
abi? Okay. Let’s assume you are one of these; a plus size but refined brand
manager, a bony human but talented writer, a petite or short human but
experienced electrical engineer, an extremely tall fellow but excellent data
analyst etc. I am introduced to you at an event and I say to you “Hi nice
to meet you. I’m so sorry about your body size. What happened to you. How did
you grow so fat?”
Or I say “Oh dear, why are you so tall, was it an
accident?”
I remove your qualifications and capitalize on your physical
structure. How would you feel?
I’m sure you get the drift now. Same way it’s not my
business how fat, thin, tall or short you are, it’s also not your business how
my physical disability came about.
Now this is something that a whole lot of people do. And I
have grown to see beyond their lack of courtesy and try to imagine that they
truly care hence the questions. Which is often not true. 80% of them are just
nosy. Anyway I no longer get too offended with the intrusion. I most often let
them answer their own questions.
When they’re like: “Oh what happened?”, I allow an
awkward silence that will most likely result in you filling it up with
“Was it an accident?”. And I heartily say Yes. Whether it’s an
accident or not is none of my business.
If you insist on me speaking, I randomly mention polio,
rheumatism or myelitis. A lot of times my interviewers have no inclination on
what any of them mean or their relationship with each other. And this will induce
them to silence. If you want to be nosy, be intelligent enough or use Google.
Anyway, you might be wondering why I don’t give one answer
to these nosy souls? Don’t worry you’re not alone. I am also confused. I don’t
even know the root cause of my disability. I can craft over 10 possible stories
that could have caused it. My wonderful father who is a renowned storyteller
can carve out over 50. He has even told me some. Whatever that could have
caused it, e no concern me and e no concern you too. You are not my doctor.
Truth is, it is embarrassing and offensive to capitalize on
one’s physical appearance and demand answers you have no right to. Get to know
people for their inner qualities and when you attain that level of intimacy,
they may or may not satisfy your curiosity of how their physical appearance
came about. As my friend sef, don’t ask. I’ll tell you if I want to. I’m a
talkative so you’ll definitely hear it. Exercise patience small.
Finally, I hope with these few rants of mine, I have been able
to convince you and not confuse you to stop embarrassing persons with
disabilities with irrelevant questions.
By the way, Who else can relate to this episode? It doesn’t
necessarily have to be a physical disability. What is that offensive thing strangers
ask you? Kindly share.
