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Tag: discrimination

  • House of Reps moves against stigmatisation, discrimination against tuberculosis patients

    House of Reps moves against stigmatisation, discrimination against tuberculosis patients

    The Chairman, the House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Hon Amobi Godwin-Ogah has said that the House of Representatives would enact a law to prohibit Stigma and discrimination against Tuberculosis patients in Nigeria.

    He said this in Lagos at the Tuberculosis Law Retreat organized by the Stop TB Partnership and Lawyers Alert and attended by members of the National Assembly, officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, national and international experts, and people affected by TB.

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    The lawmakers and stakeholders had dialogue on strengthening the legal framework governing tuberculosis (TB).

    Tuberculosis is one of the deadly diseases causing unwarranted and untimely death across the world and Nigeria has the highest TB burden in Africa as the country contributes 19 percent of the TB burden in the continent and ranked 6th among the high-burden countries globally.

    The President of Lawyers Alert, a nonprofit Human rights organisation in Nigeria, Rommy Mom said the enactment of a law prohibiting stigmatisation and discrimination against TB patients would prevent the further spread of the disease in the country.

  • Foundation hails FG’s action to curb discrimination against PLWD

    Foundation hails FG’s action to curb discrimination against PLWD

    A non-profit organisation, Asmau Ali Foundation, has commended the Federal Government for taking a decisive measure to address the reported discrimination against persons with disabilities and uphold their rights.

    Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Asmau Ali, said the government’s move was commendable, as it promotes inclusivity as well as combat discrimination in the society.

    Son of former Ogun State Governor, Debola Daniel, who is a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), had on March 27, alleged discriminatory treatment at the KFC outlet located at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), in Lagos.

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    The House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities had invited fast-food restaurant operator, KFC, over the alleged ill-treatment received by Daniel.

    The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities also summoned the fast-food restaurant over the matter.

    Also, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, ordered the shutdown of Lagos airport outlet, where the incident occurred.

    FAAN also instructed that the KFC Management should tender an unreserved apology, in writing, to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the doorpost of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation.

  • The burden of discrimination

    The burden of discrimination

    KFC in trouble for barring wheelchair-bound customer from its outlet

    In what paradoxically appeared like a wry prelude on the eve of Air Peace’s inaugural flight to London Gatwick airport through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) closed down the fast food outlet, Kentucky Fried Chicken popularly called KFC. It is an American brand that opened branches in Nigeria a few years ago.

    The outlet had inadvertently stirred the hornet’s nest by refusing to admit wheelchair-bound Mr. Debola Daniel, son of former Ogun State governor, now Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District. Debola is a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM). After being told that ‘wheelchair was not allowed’ into the restaurant, he had made a social media post of his discriminatory experience and it had gone viral.

    In a swift response, FAAN, through its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, claimed the management had set up a team to investigate the allegation against KFC at the MMIA. In addition, they requested that KFC must tender an apology, in writing, and paste it conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation. FAAN equally tendered an apology to the passenger with PRM and reassured all passengers that their interests would be protected.

    KFC is an American brand with global appeal. In the United States, there are laws specifically targeted at protecting the rights of persons living with disabilities. In fact, there is a federal law that allows fines of up to $75,000 for the first violation and $150,000 for additional ADA violations, with states and local governments having the latitude that may allow additional fines. The ADA and civil rights law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including workplaces, schools, transportation and many public and private places that are open to the general public.

    Nigeria equally has laws forbidding discrimination against persons living with disabilities, Indeed, there is a fine of N1,000,000 for corporate bodies and N100,000 for individuals, or six months imprisonment, or both. It is the Law Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018.

    The House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities reportedly summoned the management of KFC as part of its investigation of the alleged discrimination. Chairman of the committee, Bashiru Ayinla, told journalists that those found guilty of breaching the Disability Act in this instance would be punished in accordance with the law.

    We commend the courage of Debola Daniel to speak out about his experience. The society can be very unfair to those living with disabilities across the country, given the often flawed superstitious belief that disability is a result of some curse from the gods. This is basically due to ignorance about the human anatomy because people can have congenital deformities due to a myriad of factors. Certain illnesses like polio can cause disability of the limbs, accidents either at birth or at any age can affect humans in diverse ways.

    We equally believe that every Nigerian’s human and civil rights must be respected and treated with dignity and respect. The Nigerian system can be brutal to the vulnerable people as most feel that there are no laws protecting them just because most offenders are never punished as deterrent.

    In developed countries like UK and the United States, there are laws compelling corporate bodies and individuals to recognise and accord those living with disabilities some respect, like construction of ramps in public buildings, enforcing their rights to good welfare like special seats in buses and trains and other public means of transportation.

    Most companies are even mandated to reserve certain slots for the disabled.

    They have their reserved car lots and many other considerations.

    While we commend the House of Representatives for wading in, we find it curious that this particular case got their swift attention in a country where several disabled people are ill-treated but they get no attention. While we feel that every citizen deserves the protection of the state, many Nigerians are wondering whether the legislators and FAAN would have acted so swiftly were the incident about some regular Nigerians without privilege like Daniel.

    While this incident has drawn attention to the discrimination by both corporate bodies and individuals against people living with disabilities, it would be apposite for the country to run a more responsive system that makes everyone proud to be citizen as a result of inclusive welfare that is very functionally protective.

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    The workers at KFC are just a metaphor for the larger society and it is sad and point to the impunity that goes on in some multinational or even regular companies run by foreigners in Nigeria.

    Nigerians working in some of the companies run by foreigners, especially Indian, Lebanese, British and American companies must stop making themselves tools of oppression on fellow Nigerians. This is very common in most cities in Nigeria. If it were in the parent company in America that this incident happened, the legal implications would have been huge. We also have laws but lack of the political will to implement is the issue. Labour unions must be more proactive for the training and welfare of Nigerian workers.

    Government at all levels in the country must understand the high population of those living with disabilities and the socio-economic implications of excluding them from national life. Most of them are very talented and contribute a lot to the country’s GDP but are not always adequately recognised or rewarded. It is high time the National Orientation Agency took enlightenment of citizens in this regard seriously so that every Nigerian can maximise their productive potential.

    The National Assembly and other government agencies must not always be reactive; they must take pre-emptive actions to see that the laws work. A

    one-off headline-grabbing action is not good enough.

    We commend Debola Daniel for being beyond this incident, a strong advocate for disability rights. This is not the first time he is calling attention to the exclusion and humiliation of persons living with disabilities in Nigeria. We also commend FAAN and KFC management for apologising but we know that the law is always the law.

    Incidents like this merely point to the country’s systemic dysfunction. Human rights violations are a serious issue in Nigeria for both able and disabled people. The social exclusion and discrimination against citizens has to stop and it can only happen with the political will of leaders. Inclusion and social welfare enhance peace and productivity.

    It is commendable that even the Federal Government has aides from the disabled community and some states have functional agencies for the disabled, but the functionality must go beyond political expedience.  

    We can only hope that this high profile incident at the nation’s premium airport would inspire a serious re-evaluation of our laws and their implementation.

  • Ending discrimination against the physically challenged

    Since 1992, following the United Nations’ declaration of the International Day for people living with disabilities, every December 3 is a day for people with disabilities. Its the aim is to increase global awareness of their situation in all spheres of society.

    The day affords us an opportunity to drive conversations targeted at improving their rights and wellbeing.

    In Nigeria, individuals, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have continued to remind President Muhammadu Buhari of his promise and urged him to sign the Nigerian Disability Bill into law.

    This month makes it the 45th month since Buhari made a pledge during a town hall meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to end discrimination and stigmatisation against persons with disabilities in Nigeria. While the National Assembly (NASS) has completed the legislative actions on the bill to end discrimination against persons with disabilities, the president is yet to sign the bill into law. Global statistics projects that approximately 80 per cent of people with disabilities live in developing countries, with one-in-five of the world’s poorest having at least, one disability.

    It is believed that when the bill is signed into law, it would maximally boost human capital development and encourage indigenous and foreign participation of persons with disabilities in the economic, social and political development of the country. This year’s International Day of People with Disabilities with the theme: Empowering persons with disabilities for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development, brings this subject to the table of state actors again, particularly when considered that their rights and wellbeing are also integrated part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other international development frameworks which Nigeria is signatory to.

  • Diploma-degree discrimination

    •A long-running injustice has finally been ended

    The formal cessation of the discriminatory distinction between holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) from monotechnics and polytechnics, and Bachelor’s degree holders from universities is a triumph of social justice, equity and fair play.

    The welcome news was made public through a circular issued in March by the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, in which she indicated that the National Council on Establishment (NCE) had abolished the dichotomy between the two sets of graduates. Both groups will now enjoy the same salary scales at the entry point of their careers, and will be able to reach the same heights of professional achievement without discrimination.

    For a nation sorely lacking in critical human resources, the discriminatory treatment of diploma-holders in the civil service and in the private sector is completely unjustifiable. For decades, diploma-holders have had to endure lower salary scales and artificial ceilings on their career progression simply because they went to polytechnics rather than universities.

    The widespread perception appeared to be that diploma-holders were somehow inferior to their degree-carrying counterparts, and therefore deserving of lower pay and less-beneficial conditions of service, regardless of how competent and effective they might be. Such narrow-mindedness is in fact only an aspect of the systematic devaluation of non-theoretical forms of learning, including vocational and technical education.

    It has resulted in a country that is facing critical shortages of the artisans, technicians and artificers that are vital to building a modern industrial economy. Culturally-divergent countries like Germany, Japan and South Korea are united in their emphasis on the vital importance of vocational training and technical education as motors of accelerated employment and economic growth.

    Instead of focusing on the fact that both sets of graduates had different strengths and skill sets that were designed to be complementary rather than competitive, Nigerian employers chose to discriminate against one group in favour of the other. The bitterness, frustration and damage to individual careers, corporate harmony and overall national development can only be imagined.

    As is often the case in Nigeria, the diploma-degree battle does not end simply because there has been an official pronouncement. The Federal Government must now move to ensure that the NCE’s resolutions are implemented as quickly and as comprehensively as possible. There is no reason, for example, why it should not be immediately applicable to all diploma-holders entering employment. Nor should those currently employed not benefit from the changes in accordance with their current positions.

    A system of monitoring must be set up to ensure total compliance and provide feedback mechanisms so that complaints can be quickly and effectively dealt with. Such a process should be established preferably in consultation with groups like the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).

    There are wider implications that must also be given consideration as well. Now that diploma-degree harmony has been finally achieved, what are the likely consequences for the vexed issue of converting polytechnics to universities? It would appear that the harmonisation policy makes this objective moot. That approach, however, does not nullify the strong arguments for conversion and the benefits that it would bring.

    It is possible to have the best of both worlds by fully implementing the harmonisation policy and going ahead with plans to convert viable polytechnics to universities. It is not a zero-sum game in which one must benefit at the expense of the other.

    Indeed, the resolution of diploma-degree disharmony should serve to boost efforts to re-examine Nigeria’s tertiary education curriculum with the aim of making them much more relevant to contemporary requirements.

     

  • Ambode’s wife seeks end to women discrimination

    Life of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has called for the eradication of discrimination and violence against women and girls.

    Mrs. Ambode spoke at her office in Alausa, Ikeja, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

    She noted that violence against women and girls remained one of the most devastating human rights violence in the world, saying achieving gender parity would require more vigorous efforts and legal frameworks, to tackle established anti-female practices.

    Her words: “Everyone has the right to live their life without the threat of violence. This holds for everyone irrespective of age, gender, religion or any other characteristics of human identity.

    ‘’We must unite to end these acts by supporting the passing and implementation of laws to protect girls and women from child marriage, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment. We must also agitate for proper monitoring and evaluation.

    The First Lady added that prevention of violence against women and girls must begin early, stressing that children and young ones must learn the principles of equality, respect and non-violence for future generations.

    She urged women and girls to speak up and report discrimination and abuse to appropriate government agencies for immediate action.

  • Girl-child: Okorocha’s wife, others advocate equal opportunities

    Girl-child: Okorocha’s wife, others advocate equal opportunities

    The challenges facing the girl-child are many and daunting. Ranging from domestic abuse, discrimination, intimidation, harassment to denial of equal opportunities with their male counterparts in education, employment, career and other social and economic pursuits, the girl child has endured the burden with little or no choice.

    Over the years, there have been growing awareness on the plight of the girl child, but little has been achieved in the fight to eliminate these challenges and give the womenfolk, especially the girl child equal opportunities to develop their potentials and actualize their ambitions.

    Also identified as major problems confronting the girl-child is early and forced marriage, which was described as dangerous and dehumanising.

    All these challenges were brought to the fore and brainstormed on by a non-governmental organisation, owned by the wife of the Imo State governor, Nkechi Rochas Okorocha, the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI) recently during the event to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.

    The stakeholders at the event including renowned female scholars, businessmen, traditional rulers, clergymen, among others, identified education as the most viable tool to fight all forms of marginalization of the girl child.

    They also blamed obsolete cultural practices that discriminate between the girl child and the male counterpart for most of the challenges confronting the girl child.

    The various speakers advocated unhindered access to quality education and equal opportunities for not sexes as the solution to the plight of the girl child.

    At the celebration with the theme: ‘Girls Progress-Goals Progress What counts for the Girl’, the governor’s wife , submitted that quality education is the bedrock and most viable tool in emancipating the girl child.

    Mrs Okorocha stated that the essence of the celebration is to equip the girl child to fulfil her potentials without any inhibition, adding that “if you get the girl child right,  you have gotten the society right”.

    She described the girl child as source of energy and creativity,  calling on the authorities to pay adequate attention to those things that count for the girl child,  like education and nutrition.

    According to her, girls are the strongest tools of change,  stressing that to attain the vision 2030 SDGs “there must be committed efforts towards empowering the girl-child for a better”.

    Mrs Okorocha also enjoined parents to desist from forcing their children into early marriages, arguing such act and other harmful practices exposes the girl child to danger.

    Other renowned scholars who presented papers on several topics,  including the rights of the girl child,  nutrition and education,  urged the girl child to speak up against any form of abuse, both at home and in their respective schools.

    The Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri,  said that the Council had amended all the cultural practices and customs that discriminates and inhibits the girl child from achieving their set goals.

    He said that gone are the days when the girl child is regarded as inferior to the  male child,  adding that such assumption is a result of ignorance and illiteracy.

    He said, “The girl child is as good as the male child.  They should be given equal opportunities to succeed. The idea that the girl-child should sacrifice her education and other opportunities for the male child is condemnable”.

    Highlight of the event was the inauguration of WODDI Girls’ Club in selected  secondary schools , which will serve as a platform for further education and engagements with the girl-child, with the aim of further assistance and mentoring.

  • Glo’s Prof. Johnbull kicks against discrimination

    Professor Johnbull, the Glo-sponsored TV Drama Series will this week focus on genetic flaws in people and the attendant discriminations they suffer in society.

    The erudite professor is calling on people to embrace the physically-challenged in the society.

    Titled ‘Not One of Us’, the sitcom comes up on NTA Network, NTA International on DSTV Channel 251 and NTA on StarTimes, tomorrow by 8.30 pm, with  a repeat broadcast at the same time and on the same channels on Friday.

    Globacom, in statement said the “new episode aptly titled ‘Not One of Us’ is a wakeup call to all on the need for us to show not just respect to those with genetic flaws, but to most importantly regard them as normal human beings and accord them the decent treatment they deserve”.

    The statement assured viewers that “they will find the episode emotional, challenging and, more importantly, educating, as the crew collectively disabuse the misconceptions surrounding the physically challenged in society”.

    Viewers will find answers to the following pertinent questions and others in ‘Not One of Us’: Is a man’s intellectual ability measured by the size of his body? Do dwarfs and albinos possess any magical power as many believe? Does Flash possess any positive quality besides his rascally postures?

  • ‘No discrimination on noise pollution enforcement’

    Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) will  not discriminate in the implemention of the  laws on noise eradication.

    Its General Manager, Adebola habi, made this known to reporters in his office.

    According to Shabi, the essence of government is to serve the people and the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration is determined to bequeathe a healthy environment to the people. He added that the government desired a clean sustainable environment for all.

    He said LASEPA was empowered to rid the state of any form of pollution, saying: “The agency as the environment regulator has been monitoring the state environment without fear or favour. The agency has been enforcing environmental regulation around the state based on petitions received from the public and there are procedures which the agency adopts in carrying out its operation”.

    He further said: “Upon receiving of any petition, the agency sends out its inspection team to ascertain the true state of things.”

    On identifying any environmental infraction, the agency summons the parties involved to a mediation meeting, where memoranda of understanding were usually written for abatement of the environmental nuisance by the concerned parties.

    ‘’It is after such agreements were seen to be violated by any party that the agency enforces compliance, by shutting down the defaulter,” he said.

    Shabi emphasised that the agency was not biased in its operations and that at no time had the administration  directed the agency to go after any particular religion or faith.

    ‘’As the governor is a governor for all Lagosians and this is evident in his developmental projects which are being spread across the state, for the benefit of people in all walks of life, irrespective of tribe, religion or class,’’ he added.

    He maintained that the number of churches, mosques, companies and organisations being shut by LASEPA for environmental offences were all based on petition received from the public regardless of the faith or belief such petition fall into.

    Shabi enjoined all Lagosians to co-operate with the agency and the government to ensure that they do not in any way contribute to this menace of noise and air pollution as the agency will not hesitate to go after offenders whenever petitions are raised by the public.

  • Adebule urges women to rise against discrimination

    Adebule urges women to rise against discrimination

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat   Oluranti  Adebule has called on women to fight against discrimination, domestic violence and gender inequality.

    At an event commemorating the International Women’s Day (IWD) yesterday, Mrs Adebule described the day as recognition of women’s roles in the political and socio-economic development of the society. Despite the barriers, she said, women over the years had broken the walls of limitation to succeed in their careers.

    She said: “We all must work in synergy to ensure that all girls have access to free, equitable and quality education. Our unity of purpose must be to help all women to end all forms of discriminations, assaults, abuses, trafficking, and harmful practices such as early and forced marriages.”

    Lagos State, she noted, has been fighting for fairness, equality and full protection for women and the girl-Child.

    ”In the Lagos State Public Service for instance, all persons  irrespective of gender  are treated equally in the areas  of recruitment,  promotion and career progression, while it is worth noting that last four successive Heads of Service in the state have been women. Women have been occupying the position of Chief Judge of the state in the last eight years,” she said.

    Wife of the governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, said the day was significant to acknowledge women’s achievements  and appreciate their contributions to the socio-economic development of their societies.

    Mrs Ambode urged women not to be limited in their vision to achieve their hearts’ desire.

    “Change is the only permanent thing in life; it signifies progress and overcoming the barriers to achieving greatness. We must therefore embrace change with boldness and by so doing open a new door of opportunities for ourselves” she said.

    Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Lola Akande, enjoined women to see themselves as potential leaders and be committed to pragmatic actions which would foster their emancipation and advancement.