Armed forces personnel get separate pension if they suffer any kind of disability in the line of duty.
he Army has endorsed the government’s decision to tax the disability pension given to armed forces personnel disabled in the line of duty.
In a series of tweets, the Army said over the years broad-banding and compensation awarded for disability with income tax exemption has led to rise in personnel seeking disability, even for life style diseases.
The trend is worrisome when the security challenges to the nation are on the rise, it said.
“Indian Army is concerned for all personnel who are invalidated out of service in combat conditions or otherwise, and need additional support and discourages those who seek financial gains through their disabilities,” it added.
Armed forces personnel get separate pension if they suffer any kind of disability in the line of duty. The amount depends on their rank and the kind of disability.
The Army’s reaction came hours after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s office tweeted a letter, saying unscrupulous personnel have gained from disbility benefits provided by the government to disabled soldiers.
“The Army is concerned about all the personnel who because of their disability are boarded out of service and therefore need additional financial support. Any soldier with disabilities that are due to combat conditions or otherwise, need to be cared for, irrespective of the the situation in which they have been physically disabled,” the letter said.
It said there should be no segregation amongst genuinely disabled personnel.
“At the same time, those who have found the leverages in the existing system for seeking financial gains through disabilities need to be scrutinised and taken to task, where ever necessitated,” the letter said.
Recently, a group of ex-servicemen had cited example of Maj. Gen. Ian Cardozo (retd) while referring to the issue of disability pension.
During the 1971 war, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Cardozo as a young Major had amputed his leg with his khukri to prevent setting of gangrene before he could be evacuated out of the war zone.
The letter issued by Sitharaman’s office said the officer in spite of his disability, has never in his service career in the Army sought shelter for disability and continued to serve in the Army with complete dedication and rose to the rank of Major General.
“Maj Gen Ian Cardozo (Retd), #IndianArmy is a highly respected gallant soldier of 1971 war whose deeds exemplify true ethos of soldiering. As a living legend he has never let disability come between profession & military rigours,” the Army tweeted. (India Today)
No fewer than 71 million people have been displaced worldwide from war, persecution and other violence, the U.N. refugee agency said Wednesday.
According to the record, this is an increase of more than 2 million from last year and an overall total that will amount to the world’s 20th most populous country.
The annual “Global Trends” report released by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees counts the number of the world’s refugees, asylum-seekers and internally displaced people at the end of 2018, in some cases following decades of living away from home.
The figures, coming on the eve of World Refugee Day on Thursday, are bound to add fuel to a debate at the intersection of international law, human rights and domestic politics, especially the movement in some countries, including the U.S., against immigrants and refugees.
Launching the report, the high commissioner, Filippo Grandi, had a message for U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders, calling it “damaging” to depict migrants and refugees as threats to jobs and security in host countries. Often, they are fleeing insecurity and danger themselves, he said.
The report also puts a statistical skeleton onto often-poignant individual stories of people struggling to survive by crossing rivers, deserts, seas, fences and other barriers, natural and man-made, to escape government oppression, gang killings, sexual abuse, militia murders and other such violence at home.
UNHCR said 70.8 million people were forcibly displaced at the end of last year, up from about 68.5 million in 2017 — and nearly a 65% increase from a decade ago. Among them, nearly three in five people — or more than 41 million people — have been displaced within their home countries.
“The global trends, once again unfortunately, go in what I would say is the wrong direction,” Grandi told reporters in Geneva. “There are new conflicts, new situations, producing refugees, adding themselves to the old ones. The old ones never get resolved.”
The phenomenon is both growing in size and duration. Some four-fifths of the “displacement situations” have lasted more than five years. After eight years of war in Syria, for instance, its people continue to make up the largest population of forcibly displaced people, at some 13 million.
Amid runaway inflation and political turmoil at home, Venezuelans for the first time accounted for the largest number of new asylum-seekers in 2018, with more than 340,000 — or more than one in five worldwide last year. Asylum-seekers receive international protection as they await acceptance or rejection of their requests for refugee status.
UNHCR said that its figures are “conservative” and that Venezuela masks a potentially longer-term trend.
When
parents and guidance spend more time on cell phone/ Social Media and give less
attention to the children and happenings around the home.
When more
time is given to our career/ pursuit and little to what goes on at home.
When we
give less attention to hear what that child is saying /what our spouses are
saying.
When
parents have the habit of lying to each other and to their children.
When it
becomes an accepted habit to always fight and exchange dirty words before
others and our children.
When negative
life style and Constant usage of abusive language becomes part of the norm at
home.
When adult
engage in smoking, drug abuse, alcoholism, occultism , rape and it likes within
the reach of the younger generation.
Notable Damaging Effect Of Smart Phone
Difficult
to withdrawal from it usage
Back Damage
Nave damage
Anxiety
and depression
Stress
prevent
weight management and fitness
Disrupts
sleep
Source of bacteria
due to lack of constant cleaning since it can be place anywhere anytime.
Could
course damage to the retina of the eyes
Negative
Effect of radiation
Your Health
Eating healthy will keep you in good shape.
Healthiest
Fruit
Graphed
fruit – help to reduce stones and aid in weight loss.
Pineapple –
Rich in vitamin C and manganese, its bromelain, May fight inflammation and
reduce the risk of cancer.
Avocado –
Eating this promotes good heart health, contains healthy fats and potassium.
Apples-
very nutritious, also contains antioxidants and fibers which may reduce the
risk of disease and improve digestion.
Mango –
Contain Vitamin C and Soluble fiber with good plant compounds having
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Lemons –
Rich in Vitamin C and other Plants compounds which promotes heart health, boost
weight loss and prevents kidney stones.
Water melon
– High in water, Rich in Vitamin A, C and some important antioxidant known for
their anti-cancers effect.
Olives –
this provides variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, may also reduce
the risk of heart disease, cancer and Osteoporosis.
Orange –
Contains Important Vitamins, Mineral and antioxidants. May reduces the risk of
kidney stones and anemia.
Bananas
–rich in Vitamins and Mineral. It pectin contain can improve blood sugar
control and digestive health.
Papaya – High in Vitamins C, A , Potassium
and Folate . Consuming it constantly may reduce the effect of cancer and
improve digestion.
Guava –
High in vitamins, Minerals, fiber and antioxidants, it may reduce inflammation
and help prevent certain cancers.
Politics, (A Worthwhile Venture)
Politics refer to a set of activities associated with
governance of a country, or an area. It involves making decision that apply to
members of a group. It refers to achieving and excising positions of governance
– organized control over a human community, particularly a state.
One major role of politicians is to deal with national issues
and drive the country in full gear to achieve positively. Good Politic should aim at improving the economic, financial and military strength
of the country. people is politics should strictly aim at economic development
of all sections of the society it is their duty to work toward freeing
the country of corruption, nepotism and bringing communal harmony.
It is so sad that lot of people see politics as a dirty game,
there is nothing dirty about politic but rather when persons concern play dirty while politicking. When Violence,
killing, introducing of diabolic acts now becomes the order of the day b y
participant in the game of Politics, then it can be term dirty.
We desire for a nation with leaders/politicians who has the
minds of the people they are governing at heat men and woman of vision with
great and positive driving force to achieve in other to make things better.
When people run from participating in politic because it is dirty, it becomes
difficult to have people with the right frame of mind in politics.
There is a need to get rid of everything that makes
politic dirty so we as a nation will see and walk into the desired change we
long anticipate.
Politician must stop and frown at acts of
Killing and
assassination of fellow citizens.
Abstain
from fetish practices
Lies and deceits
Character
Assassination
Ballot box
snatching
Thuggery.
Except the
above is put check and the wish of the populace allowed to count, then it will
be said that nation is practicing real politics
Nurses and teachers of visually impaired schools have undergone a five-day workshop on early detection of visual impairment among children between the ages of zero to six years in Ghana.
The programme was organized by Visio International, a non-governmental organization based in the Netherlands, that supports persons with visual impairments in the areas of education, care and rehabilitation.
Other collaborators of the programme include the Presbyterian Health Service of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Special Education Division of the Ghana Education Service, Department of Children at the Ministry of Gender, children and Social Protection and the National Eye Care Unit of the Ghana Health Service.
The participants were drawn from six municipalities and districts across the 16 regions of the country.
Mr Bert Van Der Waal, the Programme Manager of Visio International, said the workshop is to help the participants to identify early, children with visual impairment problems for support so that, they can join the mainstream education system from the early ages and progress gradually through the educational system.
He said his outfit wants to ensure that children with visual impairment can live a normal life, socialize and play with their other colleagues without being neglected.
The Programme Manager advised that the beneficiaries of the training to form a group in their various municipalities and districts with other stakeholders to organize better care for children in their areas.
Mr Jeremiah Badu-Shayer, the Country Coordinator for the Visio Programme, said the training is to help the participants to establish a referral system for early and appropriate referral of children identified in their communities with eye challenges.
He said some of these cases require early detection so that the problem could be rectified, however, due to the lack of knowledge, the problems have been neglected leading to aggravation situations.
Dr James Addy, the Head of the Eye Care Unit of the Ghana Health Service, said the age limit was selected because it has been realized that there is a gap in the treatment of children with eye challenges between the ages of zero to six years.
He said now that the country is promoting inclusive education, there is no need for children with such cases to end up in the schools for the blind but be encouraged to be part of the normal school system.
Ms Joan Kafui, the Special Education Coordinator at La Dadakotopon Municipal Education office, said the training has shown them how to manage and train such children with special educational needs as well as nurture them.
She said they were made to understand that even before one can manage such children, one needs to show them love, empathy and acceptance to be able to understand them better to provide the needed service.(inclusivenews)
Cross river state practitioner farmer structure a
sustainable pathways towards harnessing Gov. Ben Ayade agricultural revolution
and value chains across Cross River State.
Hon. Emmanuel Anoh; National Vice President of RIFAN
South-South led potential farmers in the 18 LGA of Cross River to brainstorm
with agricultural lending agencies to foster agricultural productivity in Cross
River State.
While speaking; he unveils this is the foremost meeting with
the leadership of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) inclusively
agricultural lending agencies. In appearance were representative and state
managers of; Central Bank of Nigeria; Dev & finance officer- Dr. Aniefiok
A. Umoren , Branch Manager; Unity Bank- Annie Sampson, Branch Manager; Nigeria
Agricultural Insurance Cooperation- Eno Ekpe,
Branch Manager; Bank of Agriculture- T. T Takim and P.M representative
Cross River State Agricultural Development Programme (CRADP)- Eld. Ubi Obeten.
Hon. Emmanuel, unleased his core objective for the PMT meeting whose aimed to restrengthened farmers in the state to epic the giant stride of the governors agricultural revolution.
He said; “I feel so worried as well having sleepless
night when it comes to agricultural management in the state as the Anchor
Borrowers Program is unbalance having witnessed of His Excellency drive and
enthusiasm towards agricultural mechanization and rejuvenation in the
state”.
Continuing, “This have motivated me to speak with the chairman of RIFAN, Chief Ntaji John; in the state to foresee and hold a PMT meeting with the main drivers of RIFAN forum in local government and our partner’s to leverage agricultural productivity and foster a sustainable growth in the State to advance agriculture”.
The Development and Finance Officer; Dr. Aniefiok A. Umoren,
gives encomium to Hon. Emmanuel Anoh, National Vice President RIFAN- South South
for is gigantic vision to foster and sustain agricultural productivity in the
state he exordium a know your customer introduction with the state exco members
for a better relationship as an introduction. Dr. Umoren further, applaud Prof.
Ben Ayade establishment of the giant Rice processing mill in Cross River, he
tagged the factory as the largest in Africa assuring RIFAN a strong partnership
to strengthen Ayade’s agricultural advocacy.
Dr. Umoren speaking; “We are here to see how we can
help support farmers in the State.
“Cross River
State is blessed with a vision-oriented governor who bring about a rice
processing mill and the largest in Africa i am not trying to boost and if any
of you get opportunity to visit Ogoga take a tour on it, He added;
With the massive structure there’s need to be involved in
rice production. However, they have been some fraudulent act between farmers
and stakeholder on non repayment of loan as the farmers BVN is accessible to
fish out farmers hiding inside the bush and farmers who sells our inputs as
supplied, get ready to repay loan, He said.
He further assured, farmers who are transparent on loan
repayment and utilization of farm inputs to benefit other agricultural input on
their farm expansion. He appeal for honesty among state exco and leadership of
RIFAN in the eighteen local government so as to enable a smooth ride on
continuity and partnership in the state as well allow other individual’s and
rural farmers to benefit from the Anchor Borrowers Program.
Emmanuel, enlightened leaders and exco members on
challenges; The continuation of the Anchor Borrowers Program in the state is
dependent on the loan recovery from farmers in the state”.
He said, challenge’s are meant to strengthen the program and
he urged the LG leadership to correlate with the local farmers to ensure they
recover farmers debt & repayment to enhance collaboration with CBN and
other partnership agencies.
Hon. Emmanuel, saddle “frowned at the RIFAN LG
Leadership who engaged on illicit traffic of farm inputs, request payment of
ABP farmers for image capturing”.
He assured, delinquent of their removal in office
irrespective of the position in the state to enhance a sustainable agriculture
& CBN Anchor Borrowers Program in the state. He added, defaulter’s are on
investigation by the State Security agencies.
Chief Obiolo; Yakurr RIFAN Coordinator appreciate Hon.
Emmanuel Anoh for the eye opening on the Anchor Borrower Program.
He said; “I heartily appreciate the host for this
meeting the former S.A to the Governor on NGO and Civil Society, Emmanuel Anoh.
I am assuring you that we will recover all sold farm input in yakurr.
“However, i have brief with His Royal Highness and Chieftains of Yakurr
Local Government and they’re ready to collaborate with RIFAN thus bringing
perpetrator to justice”. He unveiled.
T. T Takim, Branch Manager; Bank of Agriculture,
acknowledged Hon. Emmanuel Anoh for his great stride having such a productive
meeting with the leadership of RIFAN.
Takim speaking; “I have never seen such an organized
approach of recovery loans from farmers & inputs as witnessed today”.
He added;
“Infact, Most farmers are debtors to us since 2016 till date we are
still seeking for revival on loan collection i hope Emmanuel Anoh will help
rescue our team on recovery fund, Manager pleaded.
Hon. Emmanuel Anoh; further structured a nine (9) man
strategic monitoring and strategic committee to align Ayade’s agricultural
revolution, checkmate the LG agric stores rooms, unveiled fraudulent act. He
expressed; the office to be multifunctional as they serves as an extension
officer to abetment farmers, examine beneficiary farm and ensure there’s an
increase on farmers agricultural productivity.
The committee was inaugurated by the CBN Finance and Dev.
Director, Dr. Aniefiok A. Umoren.
C’river state farmers representative and leadership across
the 18 local government in the state reassured a new birth of agriculture as
they pledge total support to harness the agricultural potentials and sprouts
the Ayade’s agricultural revolution in continuity abrading a sustainable
approach under their jurisdiction and RIFAN leadership in Cross River State,
Nigeria.
Nigerian singers, Timaya and Phyno were on Sunday unveiled as the ambassadors of Polio campaign by Sir Emeka Offor Foundation.
The billionaire’s foundation has been working in conjunction with Rotary International to eradicate polio in Nigeria and last year donated $1million to support the campaign.
From left: Polio Ambassador of Rotary International, Sir Emeka Offor; Polio Celebrities, Mr Enitimi Odom (Timaya); Chibuzor Azubuike (Phyno); wife of Polio Ambassador, Mrs Adaora Offor and Chairman, Nigeria National Polio plus Committee, Dr Tunji Funsho, during the decoration of Timaya and Phyno as polio ambassadors in Abuja
On June 26th 2019, the National Human Rights Commission convened a reconciliation meeting for the members of Joint National Associations of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in order to resolve lingering leadership tussle that has engulfed the association. It would be recalled that the crisis of JONAPWD started last year after the election that was alleged to be marred with a lot of irregularities, it was said that there was over voting at the election, the actual accredited delegates meant to vote at the election was 244 but after the counting of the votes, the number of votes casted was 264. Interestingly, the gap between the lending candidate and the runners up was slim, Ekaete Umoh had 104 while her closest rival Barrister Yusuf had 100. With this, it was obvious that the mysterious 20 votes affected the outcome of the result, this brought confusion at the election venue and it was alleged that the election, no winner was returned.
Subsequently, both parties laid claim to the leadership of
the association, Ekaete Judith Umoh having scored the highest number of votes,
organized a swearing in ceremony for herself while Barrister Iyodo Yusuf in his
own arithmetic deducted 20 votes from Etaete’s votes, claimed the winner of the
election and organized a swearing in ceremony few days after. This brought a
lot of confusion in the community to the extent that the community became a
laughing stock. In view of the ugly situation, a group of concerned members of
JONAPWD went to court to obtain restraining order stopping the both parties
from parading themselves as the president of JONAPWD pending the determination
of the case in the court.
It was on above ground that the Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), Barr. Anthony Ojukwu weighed in to resolve the crisis because JONAPWD has been for months without any leadership and this is not good for the association because it has denied over 27 million Nigerians with disabilities some sort of empowerment programmes that some foreign bodies give through JONAPWD.
Barr. Anthony Ojukwu in his remark urged the warring parties to approach the reconciliation with open mind and all members should be in reconciliation mood before there would be peace. He urged everyone of them to make sacrifices and compromises to achieve the desired peace.
NHRC invited the members of Board of Trustees of JONAPWD
comprises of Prince Adelabu the Chairman, Miss Omotunde Ellen Thompson the Deputy
Chairman, Mrs Ene and Nauche, others members invited were some heads of clusters,
Jake Epelle(The Albino Foundation), the National President of National
Association of the blind(NAB), Mr. Rilwan from Physically disability group and
other from Leprosy group including some elders like David Anyaele, David Okon, Adekanbi,
Barrister Ikem Uchegbulam, Paul Ihekwuaba, Dr. Irene Ogbogu, Samuel Obiefuna, Dr.
Adebayo, Danderson Hart, a representative from Legal Aid Council and the warring
parties Ekaete Judith Umoh and Barr. Yusuf Iyodo.
The Executive Secretary provided opportunity for the warring
parties to present the grievances and also a proposal to be considered for reconciliation.
Ekaete Umoh was first to present her case, she explained that after the
election which she won, she was doing her thing until one day, she got a court summon.
She said that was the first ever time she entered a courtroom. She proposed that
she will form committees and have members of the other fraction accommodated via
these committees. Her proposal was debated which didn’t go down well with some
elders but it was argued that the proposal was not too clear. It was assumed
that her proposal was that she has agreed to work with Barrister Iyodo just
that it was not too clear how it can be work. That was taken, Then Barrister in
his presentation gave an insight on what happened at the election venue. he broken
the down the delegates list, from state delegates, ex-officers, etc, he explained
how he felt the election was marred with irregularities and The Electoral
committee Chairman Mr Rilwan did not make a return on that day, he told the
meeting that Mr. Rilwan cancelled the election on tape and called for a rerun
the next day which never happened. His proposal was that they go back to where
Electoral Committee stopped and find out the truth.
Mr. Rilwan in clarification of what happened on the election day said that he cancelled the election under duress, he said that he did that only to save his life. He agreed that there was over voting and when that occurred, he called the attention of Barrister IKem who was a member of Convention Committee and enquired what the JONAPWD constitution said about over voting, it happened that the constitution was silent about it. He alluded that at this juncture as some people were trying to lynch him and his committee members so he has to device a means to leave the venue alive which was to cancel the election on tape as he was forced to by the angry crowd.
At last, it was established that the election was marred with irregularities but Mr. Ojukwu said that based on the cost of organizing a fresh election, it will be better if the two warring find a common ground to work together. He adopted a suggestion made by Miss Omotunde where she suggested reforms and restructuring of JONAPWD and review of JONAPWD Constitution, he urged the next leadership to take that tasks and ensure that it is done. He also adopted the suggestion of Prince Adelabu who at the end of his speech suggested that since no compromise has been reached publicly, the two major players should have a close door meeting with the Executive Secretary to discuss privately, maybe a compromise would be achieved. Prince Adelabu also during his speech confessed that he alongside Rilwan knew what happened at the election, he openly admitted that there was ballot box stuffing in favour of Ekaete Umoh. He said that the 20 votes was stuffed into the box for Ekaete to win the election. Surprisingly, he publicly admitted that he was aware of it, and he advised Ekaete to reach out to the aggrieved party but she ignored him and went all the way to organize a swearing in for herself. He openly blamed Ekaete for the crisis rocking the association.
The two major players, Ekaete Umoh and Barrister Yusuf Iyodo
went into a close door meeting that lasted for over an hour and when they came back,
The Executive Secretary informed the house that no agreement was reached.
The Executive Secretary at this juncture, made public his
proposal/resolutions to them, they are as follows;
We have agreed that the elections have issues, it
is characterized with fraud.
The association is not in position to organize a
fresh election of the president due to lack of funds, safety and other logistics
challenges and it can endanger the unity of the association.
That the person who allegedly scored 104 votes
be allowed to complete the balance of tenure with the cooperation of the person
who allegedly had 100 votes, a provision will be made in the interim for the
position of Iyodo as a co-chair of all the committees in the association for
the balance of tenure.
That all foreign meetings travels should be
carried out by the President in company of Barr. Iyodo though the speaking
rights and representation will be done by the president supported by Barr.
Iyodo.
That within this period Barr. Iyodo will
understudy the office of the President in preparation for the next election,
that the parties in this meeting and their supporters will support Barr. Iyodo
for office of the president at the expiration of present tenure.
That both parties will work in harmony in
consultation with the elders of the association to ensure that the association stays
together and also attracts the benefits due for the members.
All the parties will work to persuade those who
are in court to withdraw their case.
That the parties should inform their groups and
supporters about these resolutions today and report back to National Human
Right Commission within two weeks on the support of these resolutions and
following these resolutions, all court activities should put on hold pending
the final agreement by next two weeks.
He said that the proposal was put forward to the two
parties, Ekaete Umoh agreed largely with all the conditions but Barrister Yusuf
Iyodo objected to it saying that he is not alone on the struggle, all they seek
is justice, he insisted that the right thing should be done which is to go back
to what happened at the elections and all those who played part in the
manipulation of the process should be punished.
Iyodo said that there is no vacuum in JONAPWD since the restraining order is barring the two presidential candidates, the BOT can step in to pilot the affairs of the association. It was at this juncture that pandemonium broke out in the meeting and the elders threw caution to the wind and they were issuing threats to each other (like I will deal with you) coming from Ekaete Umoh to Miss Omotunde. The situation was brought under control and the meeting was brought to a close.
The beautiful
Aver Akighir is a woman with disability who was born and brought up in Gboko, Benue
state. Number 6th child in the family of 9. A graduate of English
from Benue State University. She is currently the captain of Amputee Football
Federation of Nigeria. A woman of many parts, a TV presenter anchoring an advocacy
TV show known as The Possibilities in Catholic TV, co-founder of Questaid
Foundation, a baker, a motivational speaker, hairstylist, a board member of Amputees
collation of Nigeria and the founder of Benue Diva’s hangout (a meetings of young
girls with disability).
We spoke to her on how it all happened
and her exploits despite the disability
Can you recall how your disability occurred?
On that fateful day, 9th of February,
2003, I was on my way back from Church, I had an accident, my leg was broken,
it was so bad that medically and traditionally, the only option was to have my
leg amputated to save my life.
How did
it affect you?
My challenge
has completely changed me for good, right now I don’t only think about myself
but I think and work for the good of over 27 million Nigeria’s living with
disabilities. It has redirected my focus towards another goals of life, I live and dream of how to affect the lives many especially
people living with disabilities in Nigeria.
How did
your family and friends felt when they found out that you have been amputated?
The news of
my amputation came to my family as a rude shock, they were all heartbroken. I
remember how my father was unable to look at me in the face, I could look at
him and feel his pain and anger. He regrets how he was unable to help his
little girl (I was my Daddy’s favourite girl). My mother and my siblings were pained as well.
They never left my side. They still feel sad about my condition till date. God was very kind and faithful to me and my
family just three months into my amputation, I got myself back and God shown me
so many reasons to be grateful for life and ever since I have not looked back.
As for friends, some came with good heart while some came to see if it was true
and how I was taking it but in all, God is good I pulled through and I am still
pushing through life.
I understand
that you are using artificial limb, how did you acquire it?
I got my
beautiful limb through well-meaning friends and families; good people God sent
my way.
As result of the disability, do you
face any stigmatization and discrimination?
Disability
and discrimination go hand in hand, I remembered back in my university days, I
was going home after lectures some students were sitting in the school park, I
was trekking home when one of them said (won’t you dash your younger sister
that shoe you are wearing? Can’t you see how tight it is) he felt my shoes was
tight that’s why I was walking the way I was.
I can’t remember all the cases because I don’t really take them to
heart.
Did your
disability affect your education in any way?
My
disability didn’t stop me from anything not even my education. After my
amputation I went to college of education Katsina Ala where I got N.C.E in English-
political science after which I went to Benue state university for my degree in
English. I was enrolled for NYSC, after NYSC I enrolled for bakery classes
after which I became a baker and I have been on it for 5 to 6 years now. My
education days was quite fun and challenging but it all ended well and I was
well supported by my family.
What are your
challenges in carrying out daily activities?
Right Now,
my biggest challenge is Employment, I need a job. About my daily life, I can’t
complain much, I am doing my best and God has been faithful to me.
I know
that you are a TV presenter, championing a Disability Advocacy Programme,
please tell about it?
I am a presenter
and co- founder of ” possibilities TV show ” is a program where we
showcase the talent’s, challenges, fears, aspirations of persons with
disabilities. Here they come to tell us their stories, what they go through,
how they are able to face life challenges in the mix of the hardship etc.
It is a huge
resource to running TV show, what are the challenges you face in running it?
Funding is a
big challenge to me, sponsors and partnership. Paying of air time, and the production.
Funding has been and is still my biggest challenge.
What did
disability take from you?
Sometimes in
movement’s, sometimes in what to wear etc. In terms of confidences, no one will
take that from me not even my disability.
Did you have the full support of your family, what
was their attitude towards you?
The members
of my family have always been my number one supporters and fans. They support
every little thing I do, in fact sometime I doubt myself but they will be there
to remind me that I can do it, so I have always had their support and love.
Have people tried to oppress or take advantage of
you as a result of your disability?
I don’t give
room for such and they do try but they don’t always have their way, because I
know my rights and what is good for me.
What are the lessons you have learnt living with
disability?
Disability
have giving me more responsibilities; it has brought out the best in me. Qualities
I never knew I had. It has shaped me in the right direction, for being there
for people especially the less privileged in the society. I think disability
didn’t take from me rather it added to me more responsibilities.
Relationship is one area that people with disabilities
suffer a lot of discrimination, what is the situation around your relationship?
It should be
a story for another day
what do
you think Government can do to alleviate the sufferings of 27million Nigerians
with disabilities?
Let me use
this opportunity to thank Mr President for signing disability bill into law. Implementation
is the most important part of it and we are looking forward for that to kick
start immediately. I wish and pray for a Nigeria where persons with
disabilities will be able to enjoy their rights and privileges.
What is motivating you to always want to achieve
more?
It is by the
Grace of God, truly speaking I can’t tell how it all happens. Determination and
God’s help is always pushing me through. Believing in my God, a lot has been
achieved and there are much to achieve.
I want a
better society for all and there is no one that will build that society for me,
I have to live by example so where I see and I know that something is lacking I
try to contributed my quota. So, the motivation comes from wanting to do right
for the good of all.
What are your life aspirations?
I want to be a bridge between the world and persons with disabilities, advocate
for more inclusive society. Inculcate good values in the younger generations teaching
them how to love themselves. I also want to always be at the forefront in
assisting PWD’S anytime, wherever I meet them.
Secondly, to
have a family, love my God and simply be a mirror to the world.
What is
your advice to other people with disabilities?
You must not
give up on yourself, you must have to love yourself, pray always and work hard
towards achieving your dreams. Always believe in yourself and the sky will be
your starting point.
What is the striking thing you have gotten from
all your experience over the years about disability advocacy?
I have
learnt that there is a thin line between been able and Disability. You can be
able today and the next minute your story might change.
Parting
words?
My dream is
to see disability community that is selfless, everyone coming together to work
for the good and progress of persons with disabilities. Let’s love lead in this community, let us all
be our brothers and sisters keeper. We are all wonderfully and beautifully made
by God (one love).
Voice for the Deaf Foundation has bemoaned the rate at which some of them are being trafficked for prostitution, alms-begging and ‘slavery jobs.’
They begged the Federal Government to come to their rescue.
President of the Foundation, Alaba Adefala Durojaiye, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos, on Tuesday.
Durojaiye said human trafficking, as a social malaise, has affected the deaf community due to negligence by government and the society.
“Because of neglect and frustrations that deaf people suffer, many are often enticed into human trafficking, through some agents, who specialise in recruiting people for prostitution, begging and slavery jobs. There are times deaf people, including young boys and girls, men and women are ferried across deserts, far from home, while parents declare them missing.”
He further stated that the deaf people are subjected to dehumanising and degrading conditions of living as beggars, slaves and sex workers where they were trafficked.
“Even in Nigeria, so many deaf persons left their home to engage in begging trade distributing envelopes for offering in nooks and crannies of our metro and cosmopolitan cities, towns and villages in order to survive. The issue, therefore, needs to be handled from the right perspective. We want government to do something about it.”
Durojaiye, however, emphasided the need for job provision, education and training of deaf people as a tool to fighting the menace. According to him, education and training the deaf will go a long way to fight human trafficking.
“Lack of employment is one of the vital reasons proffered by deaf people for engaging in illicit trafficking trade and arms begging. We know the Disability Law has been passed but we want the government to do something about its enforcement and make more people aware.” (The sun)
Assumpta Khalil thought it was all over when she lost
her right arm to an accident at the peak of her youth, she realized that all
hope is not lost when she met David Anyaele who had his two hands cut off by the
rebels during the Sierra Leonean civil war in the early 90s.
Assumpta is beautiful, confidence and self-assuredness and
she will always catch the attention of anybody going by her fair and pretty
face with her one-armed that she is not hiding at all.
In this interview, she shared with us what she went through
when she had the accident that led to the lost of right arm and how she managed
to get over it and become what she is today.
How did your disability occur?
It was on a Wednesday 13th December, 2002 to be precise;
I had the accident on my way to school. I was an ND student at the polytechnic,
Ibadan. It had happened on my way going to check my results. 18-seater bus I
was one of the passengers had a head-on collision with an on-coming vehicle as
our bus was approaching a bend. It was a bad spot so our bus somersaulted. Some
people fell out, some died but I was lucky to be among the few survivors. We were
rushed to the State Hospital Ijaiye, Abeokuta. I lost consciousness and when I woke
up, I discovered that the accident affected my right arm and right breast. I was
in coma for long and when I woke up, I was told that a certain Mrs Bose, whose
brother was also involved in the accident (I didn’t meet her though), on seeing
my deteriorating condition, paid for my first operation that resuscitated me. It
was after was resuscitated that I was able to reach my family in Lagos through
Dr. Oloko.
When my family came, the doctors told them that I need an amputation
because the arm was badly damaged. My family refused and later requested for my
voluntary disacharge which the hospital willingly granted. I was taken to Igbobi
Orthopaedic Hospital, Lagos. The doctors at Igbobi suggested the same
amputation. Again, my family refused, insisting that there had to be an alternative.
Then, Dr Mbaleme came to me and said to
me “Assumpta, I’m going to amputate your hand” it was the first time I was hearing
that word. I asked for clarification and he explained that “I am going to cut
off your hand”,
He told me that the level of infection in my hand had reached
an alarming stage; that I was lucky that it wasn’t my left hand was affected, otherwise
it would have affected my heart, which could lead to death. He told me that
there was no time to waste any longer, he showed that my arm was already turning
green. He explained to me that I could live if I accept this fate because he doesn’t
want me to die.
Then I asked him a question, “would I be able to have
children after the amputation”. He told me that amputation doesn’t affect the
womb. I also remember asking him, “Who will marry me?” he smiled at me and said
“Don’t worry, when you get there and you don’t find someone to marry you, let
me know.”
After all the counselling, my family still refused and I was
now the one who was pleading with them, telling them that I will be fine with
the amputation. Meanwhile as all these was going on, the pain was unbearable, you
can’t even wish your enemy what I was going through. I was so devastated, then I
told my family that if you don’t want my arm to be amputated, that’s means you
want me to die. That was when they agreed.
I was put to sleep waking up the
next morning around 5am, I wanted to go back to sleep, I noticed that the deed
has been done, I didn’t want to face the reality. I closed my eyes tight but
sleep wasn’t coming. In fact, what
finally woke me up was the cry from my mother and other relatives. It was a
terrible experience. The reality was done on me.
Was it traumatic to you after
you realized that you will be living with one arm?
I lost it. I told myself it was over. I just
couldn’t accept the reality. I was just 23, the peak of my youth, and I was
wondering how I was going to continue with my schooling, my dreams of becoming
a successful journalist, a newscaster or radio presenter; all of a sudden, they
seemed wiped out. It was as if someone came with an eraser and wiped them all
out. I felt like ending it all.
At the main ward, where I was supposed to
recuperate, my health was rather deteriorated. “I was not in the right state of
mind. First, they had to deal with my right breast. Only a tiny flesh held the
whole of my breast together and I could actually see the green and black of the
inner parts of my breast. The doctor said they were going to place me on a one-week
treatment and if it did not respond, they were going to take another drastic
decision. Of course, that meant they were going to cut off the breast, but to
God be the glory, the breast started to respond to treatment and the green and
black started turning red and it came back to life. It was the first part of my
body that healed.”
To tell you how low I sank, I no longer saw
any future and I contemplated suicide on a lot of occasions. I actually tried
overdose about three times, but somehow my body did not respond and I didn’t
die (laughs). Yeah, I can actually laugh over it now, but back then, it was a
grim situation. I would save some of the drugs I was supposed to take over a
period of time and then swallow them all at once, but it didn’t work.”
How did you get over the trauma?
“It got to a point; my situation started
getting worse. I was not responding to treatment; my blood pressure shot up
incredibly. The doctors were on their toes; they said ‘to me, you’re thinking’,
but I said I wasn’t – because I really didn’t think I was. But beyond that, the
pain was killing. Believe me, amputation is better experienced. I was always
under observation. At a point, Dr Mbaleme came to me and said, ‘There is
someone I’d like you to meet.’ That doctor, he was God-sent. I don’t know what
would have befallen me if not for him. Then I had been in the hospital for
about two months. He had given Mr. David my phone number and he had called me
ahead.
“That day, I saw a man smiling, as he
approached me. He said, ‘Hello, are you Assumpta? I said, yes; he said I’m
David, spoke a bit and then brought out his two hands! I was like aaaghhh!
What! Both his hands were cut off from just above the wrist! I was shocked and
tongue-tied. And now, I was the one who was feeling pity for him. I said, ‘Sorry…
are you okay?’
“But he smiled and said, ‘How are you?’ He
said my name is David and I am a friend of your doctor. He told me you have not
been responding to treatment.’ I told him I was in a very devastating situation
and that I was losing it.
“But he looked at me and said, ‘I wish I had
one hand like you.’ And that was like a discovery moment for me. I realized
that my situation was not the worst.
“He looked at me and said, ‘Can you feed
yourself?’ I said, ‘No.’ He said ‘Who feeds you?’ I said ‘My mother. He said
‘Do you bath yourself?’ I said ‘No.’ I said my mum does everything for me.’
Then he said, ‘From today, you are going start doing all these things by
yourself. ‘
“Then he said ‘You are going to get hold of a
pen and start writing. I remember the first day Mr. David made me write with my
left hand; I was like a kindergarten writing. But he led by example by writing
with his stump. He also ate with his stump. I was really amazed. Honestly, he
was a bundle of inspiration.
“That was like the turning point I needed.
Everything changed. I started seeing the positive side of my life and started
looking forward to seeing him. In no time, I started recovering and that was
when it dawned on me that I had indeed been thinking. I had two more operations
and then I was discharged. Mr. David kept coming to counsel me until we lost contact.
I paid dearly for losing David Anyaele’s contact
as I fell into depression, which lasted for five years. I lost it again. I told myself it was over
and withdrew from the society. I wanted to die. I deliberately made myself a
prey to the world and thus became vulnerable. I lost my self-confidence and
this time; it was big time. But one day I told myself, ‘Enough is
enough’.
Having gone through the trauma, what do you
engage yourself with?
So now, I am a single mother living with my siblings.
I sell ankara fabrics, assisted by my siblings. I also do voluntary works with
NGOs and has been through lots of capacity building workshops and training,
which has boosted my experience and helped me to give back. I also work with
David Anyaele at his Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Star
Children Development Initiative as a volunteer.
I also make liquid soap for brightening and
lighting, whitening soap, shower gel etc and my customers are growing by the day.
For me now, life is beautiful. I don’t want to
die anymore. I have a bright future and I want to live for myself and my two
daughters, and for the people for whom I am an inspiration to.
How about your love life, after the depression,
as you rediscovered yourself, were your able to get married?
At a point, I started experiencing stigmatization
from my friends, family, even in my relationships. I tried keeping one or two
relationships and one actually worked out; but it started rearing its ugly head
again. My in-laws started sticking it in my face. Unfortunately, my husband
started dancing to their tunes. He allowed them to influence him and began
using harsh words on me. He said things like, ‘I don’t even know what I am
doing with you.’ He even called me an imbecile and went as far as telling
people I was his sister, generally treating in a manner that was less human. It
got to the level of violence against me. I started experiencing serious battering
from him and it took the intervention of the neighbours, who raised money for
me and urge me to run for my life or else I will be kill ed.’ “So I took their advice and ran. it was the best decision I ever
took.”
After your marriage failed, have you been able
to get over it to love again?
Yes, I have moved on. I am living positively
with my disability. I have accepted myself for who I am. I have no regret living
with disability. Life is now beautiful and I thank God for another opportunity
to live. I am in a relationship but taking my time to remarry but for sure I will
settle down soon, as we all know that people can change, I don’t want repeat
the first mistake. Once beaten, twice shy.
In a nutshell tell me about your achievements
especially after your disability?
I have been able to acquire skills. I have
been able to mentor and coordinate other women with disabilities, get them to
work together for our common good. We have a WhatsApp group. I have been using
that forum to counsel them.
Your advice for any other persons who may be
in depression now as a result of similar experience or anybody who may be in
this condition in future?
My advice is that first they must accept their
present condition in good fate and see it as God’s wish. Accept your fate as a
person with disability, love yourself, face reality and be cheerful knowing
that you can’t change the situation and above all love your God more. You should
know that it took God for you to be alive, try to identify yourself with other
persons with disabilities, join an NGO to help you build your capacity, feel
free to network with PWDs for possible opportunities, always talk when the need
arises, please don’t keep to yourself. Make friends with positive thinking,
engage in things that will make you happy, stay away from negative environment.
Have great mentors you can always engage for counselling.
What can government do presently to address
permanently the plights of people with disabilities?
Implement the disability rights act,
functional legal framework should be put in place to help PWDs get justice to help
us enjoy a more inclusive society.
What have you learnt living with disability?
To believe in myself. I can do extraordinary
things, and to be confident in myself leads to success.
Your advice to PWDs?
Accept yourself for who you are. Acceptance of
your situation is the key to all PWDs. Love yourself, face reality, know that
you can’t change the situation. Love God,
you must know that it took God for you to be alive. Identify and network with
others, build your capacity, and engage right company and stay away from those with
negative thought about you. Stay focused and engage on activities that will
make you happy always and discover that thing that you are good at and maximize
it. Get a good mentor, it will help you perform better.
