Kogi Central, Nigeria — Concern is mounting within the disability community in Kogi Central following reports that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were left out of a major empowerment programme recently organized by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The empowerment initiative—widely praised as one of the largest and most ambitious in the history of the district—has now come under scrutiny as community advocates allege that the programme failed to include PWDs, despite a legally mandated 5% quota for their participation in all government opportunities and interventions.
PWDs Claim Humiliation, Discrimination at Empowerment Venues
According to Comrade Ahmed Barnabas, a respected disability inclusion advocate and spokesperson for the Kogi Central disability community, several PWDs who attempted to attend the programme were allegedly subjected to humiliating and demeaning remarks by some programme coordinators.
He recounted statements such as:
“Who invited you?”, and
“Even if you were given a motorcycle or Keke, how would you ride it?”
These remarks, he said, deeply wounded members of the community and stood in stark contradiction to the spirit of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, which guarantees dignity, respect, and equal access to opportunities for all Nigerians regardless of disability.
Community Expresses Disappointment in a Trusted Leader
The exclusion comes as a shock to many within the disability community, who have historically supported Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and viewed her as an advocate for justice, equity, and inclusive representation.
Many PWDs, Barnabas noted, voted for her with the strong belief that her administration would reflect their interests and champion their rights.
However, recent empowerment distributions and political appointments have, according to advocates, failed to reflect this confidence, leading to frustration and a sense of abandonment.
A Call for Reflection—Not Condemnation
Despite the disappointment, the PWD community emphasizes that their outcry is not intended as an attack on the Senator. Rather, it is a sincere appeal for reflection and corrective action.
“We believe in Senator Natasha’s leadership,” Barnabas noted. “Our appeal is for her to review what happened, address the oversight, and ensure that future programmes are inclusive and respectful of the laws protecting PWDs.”
He added that PWDs are not seeking sympathy or charity, but equity, recognition, and the opportunity to benefit from public programmes just like every other citizen.
Demand for Reserved Shops in Newly Built Oboreke Market
The disability community also urged Senator Natasha to consider a specific inclusion package for women with disabilities — a group they say faces double layers of discrimination due to both gender and disability.
With the construction of the new 80-shop market in Oboreke Ihima, located in Okehi Local Government Area, Barnabas appealed for a dedicated percentage of the shops to be intentionally reserved for female PWDs, aligning with global best practices in inclusive economic empowerment.
A Call to Action for Inclusive Development
Comrade Barnabas called on the Senator to urgently institute mechanisms that guarantee full compliance with the 5% inclusion mandate in all future empowerment programmes, appointments, and development projects within Kogi Central.
The disability community insists that inclusion is not optional, nor is it an act of charity. It is a right backed by law — and a moral responsibility, especially for elected leaders who campaigned on promises of fairness and justice.
As discussions continue, many are hopeful that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will take decisive steps to restore trust and ensure that Kogi Central becomes a model of inclusive governance where no one is left behind.
