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Tag: physically challenged

  • Physically-challenged promise APC 3m votes

    Ahead of 2019 general elections, the physically-challenged people in Lagos State have promised the All Progressives Congress (APC) three million votes.

    The leader of the group Mr Israel Akiode made the promise yesterday at a solidarity rally held at the APC Secretariat, ACME Road, Ikeja. He said official record shows that there were four million people living with one disability or the other in the state.

    Akiode said the leadership have been mobilising members to register and collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).

    He advised members that have not registered as APC members to go and register in their wards.

    According to him, only card carrying members of the APC would be allowed to take part in the direct primaries for choosing party candidates for general elections.

    He commended Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the entire leadership of APC in the state for recognising the physically-challenged and incorporating them in the party executives at the ward, local and state levels.

  • Physically-challenged promise APC 3m votes

    Ahead of 2019 general elections, the physically-challenged people in Lagos State have promised the All Progressives Congress (APC) three million votes.

    The leader of the group Mr Israel Akiode made the promise yesterday at a solidarity rally held at the APC Secretariat, ACME Road, Ikeja. He said official record shows that there were four million people living with one disability or the other in the state.

    Akiode said the leadership have been mobilising members to register and collect their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).

    He advised members that have not registered as APC members to go and register in their wards.

    According to him, only card carrying members of the APC would be allowed to take part in the direct primaries for choosing party candidates for general elections.

    He commended Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the entire leadership of APC in the state for recognising the physically-challenged and incorporating them in the party executives at the ward, local and state levels.

    APC Vice-Chairman (Lagos West) Chief Funsho Ologunde, who represented the Chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, said the physically-challenged people are represented in all wards, local government, state and national executive committees of the APC.

    Ologunde, , said if three million physically challenged come out to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ambode, the APC victory is certain in 2019. He promised that they would not regret being members of the APC.

  • Foundation grants scholarship to 48 physically-challenged

    A non-governmental body, Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), has given scholarships and grants to 48 students with physical disabilities to enable them continue their education.

    Those that benefited from the N2 million grant included 19 pupils in primary and secondary schools in Edo State, and 27 students in higher institutions across the country.

    NAPVID President Mr. Melody Omosah said the beneficiaries were selected based on their abilities to learn, financial backgrounds and availability of funds.

    He said the fund was raised through NAPVID Education Fund with a view to enabling children with special needs realise their dreams of acquiring quality education.

    He said NAPVID was founded six years ago with the objective of empowering physically disabled persons through education and skills.

    Omosah, who is also a physically challenged lawyer, stated that the foundation took off with an initial grant of N5 million.

    He said: “Being physically challenged is not only the criteria to qualify for NAPVID scholarship and grants. We also look out for the academic capacity of the child.

    “Ninety-three applications were received. After screening, 48 successful applicants would be financed”.

    Special guest of honour, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, said there was need to locate people with special needs and give them a helping hand.

    “Life does not end because one is physically challenged but to keep moving because there is hope of a better future,” she noted.

  • Physically challenged persons to benefit from N217m housing project, says FG

    Physically challenged persons to benefit from N217m housing project, says FG

    Physically challenged persons interested in the 2016 National Housing Programme (NHP) will benefit from the scheme as soon as it is completed in six months, the federal government has assured.

    Zonal Director North Central, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Julius Olurinola, disclosed this during an inspection of 72 units housing project at the weekend in Abuja.

    He said every Nigerian is eligible to purchase the flats at a cost to be unveiled by the ministry.

    Speaking at the phase one of the project site in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Olurinola who is the ministry’s Director of Engineering, said the project implementation, which already commenced in 33 states including the Federal Capital Territory have created direct and indirect jobs across the chain.

    He said the three apartment houses have 72 units of flats for interested individuals at an affordable cost, adding that the project is a reality of campaign promises of the present administration.

    The FCT Condominium Type A Project is a block building consisting of 4 units of 1 bedroom, 16 units of 2 bedroom and 4 units of 3 bedroom with a parking space available to occupy 50 cars.

     

  • ‘Show compassion to the physically-challenged’

    Bothered about the discrimination and stigmatisation which persons living with disabilities experience, wife of the monarch of Erusu in Akoko North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Olori Kikelomo Mogaji has advised members of the public to stop such dehumanising predisposition. She also advised them to regard the physically-challenged persons as fellow creations who deserve empathy.

    Olori Mogaji urged them to show love and passion and extend hospitality to them since they are part of the larger society.

    She gave the advice while addressing wives of other monarchs during the donation and distribution of food items, provisions and cash to the Ondo State School of Physically-impaired in Ikare Akoko.

    She said as mothers, they should feel concerned about the plight of such children, adding that government cannot do it alone.

    Olori Mogaji commended teachers of the school for their efforts to impact knowledge on the pupils so that they would not become beggars and constitute nuisance in the society.

    She noted that many physically-impaired persons had become employers of labour in Nigeria.

    Responding, the Head-Teacher of the school, Mrs Modupe Ogundeji commended the state government for being committed to the welfare of the pupils and teachers.

    According to her, government alone should not be left with the responsibility of caring for such people, even as she called for assistance from individuals and corporate bodies in areas of water, drugs, solar energy and sports.

    The occasion was attended by traditional rulers and community leaders.

     

  • NGO seeks ‘proper care’ for the physically-challenged

    NGO seeks ‘proper care’ for the physically-challenged

    A non-governmental home that cares for the physically and mentally-challenged, Lady Atinuke Memorial Home, has called for proper parental care for the children. The foundation also clamoured for empathy for its pupils, during its 10th year anniversary celebrations, which took place in the school premises at Badagry, Lagos.

    Lady Atinuke Memorial Home,  established specifically for disabled children, maked its 10th year in Lagos, Nigeria. The theme of the anniversary, Empathy I Need, explored the need to identify intellectually, the emotional state of the disabled children and further transform their lives to suit the taste of the society, rather than showing them unnecessary sympathy which might lead to rejection or dejection of the children in the society.

    Present at the event were: the Special Adviser on Social Development to Lagos State Governor AkinwunmiAmbode, Mrs Joyce Onafowokan; founder and national President of the Down Syndrome Foundation, Mrs Rose Mordi; founder, Olaokin Medical Centre, Dr Olaokin and the host other concerned parents.

    More than 30 pupils in the home suffer from autism, cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome, in the last 10 years the home has given care and training to prepare them for the future. But many are often stigmatised. “Show us love, all we need is empathy, all we need is empathy, not sympathy”, they clamoured, singing theatrically. Special education should be given to specific students who are physically or mentally ill, that is why homes like Lady Atinuke Memorial Home and others exist to bring out abilities in the disabilities of the disabled children…”, Assistant Director, Muslim Primary school, inclusive unit, Alozie Placidus said.

    Mrs Onafowokan emphatically pointed out that the press should through the tell the parents of the disabled not to hide their children. Onafowokan noted the need to call attention to disabilities and make the children happy for no one knows what the future has for them. She said that disability is curable and that Lagos State is doing better among other states in Nigeria to ensure that true empathy is shown to the physically challenge.

    He noted some of the causalities for most disabled children such as genetics factor, pregnant woman drinking alcohol and long labour, among others. Concerned parent and matron, who is also a medical practitioner, Mrs Onafolujo, x-rayed the common mental ill-health in children and the need for parents to give early diagnosis. She emphasised specifically that most of the children are artistic, talented, productive, urging the parents to get the best out of them by giving them sincere empathy.

    Dr Olaokin stressed that “If you don’t visualise empathy, you’ll not understand what we’re talking about. Parents of these children go through several difficulties and among all will be the reactions of people outside when they see the disabled children. Some will think that a disabled child is as a result of spiritual attack or certain sins the parents have committed. All these are not true”

    While speaking with the founder of the disabled home, Mrs Else Akerele, she said:” I want parents to know that there are lots of potentials in these children. You can see that every one of them is a star. There are potentials in them that if allowed to come out, one will wonder. These children are very honest, they can’t lie and they don’t just know how to pretend, it is not just in their nature. They tell you the truth as it is”.

  • Anambra: Fury of the physically challenged

    People living with disabilities in Anambra State are angry and want the authorities to correct a perceived insensitivity towards them, beginning with putting facilities in place to help them vote conveniently in the November governorship election. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    As elsewhere in the country, people living with physical challenges in Anambra State are unsettled. Their grievances are legion. Some cannot walk without some form of aid. Some cannot talk, some are blind. So they struggle everyday with the agony of not being able to execute some of the things their minds conceive. There is also the challenge of lack of facilities in public places to help them move around with relative ease. Even the perception that government does not prioritise their welfare is a constant pain.

    A governorship election has been slated for November 18 in the state, but the physically challenged persons are unsure if they will be able to vote or do so with minimum hassles. They worry about where the polling booths will be located and whether or not they will be on a flat ground. If on an elevated platform, will there be ramps to facilitate the movement of people who are on wheelchairs?

    These are some of the issues persons with disabilities or (PWDs) in the state are trumpeting, asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to address them before the election.

    The leaders of various associations of PWDs in the state were speaking during the launch of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) in the state.

    Chairman of the Joint National Association of People with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in the state, Lawrence Nwanolue said they were happy that such sensitisation has started in the state.

    He pleaded with the state House of Assembly to help them pass the Persons with Disability Rights Bill which, according to him, passed the first and second readings over a year ago.

    For the Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), David Anyaele, the eligible right to participate in an election is an indispensable component of participatory democracy.

    He called on INEC to carefully choose the location of polling units to ensure that they are accessible for PWDs by locating them on flat surfaces as opposed to corridors, especially where ramps and hand rails are yet to be provided

    These are some of the demands Anyaele presented:

    “INEC to conduct an audit of their processes to identify disability gaps and ensure that persons with Disabilities are not marginalized in the electoral process”

    “INEC to standardise its collection of PWD data in pre-election and Election Day processes to enable them plan for the participation of voters with different forms of disabilities”

    “INEC to budget for and provide written instructions to explain Election Day procedures to hearing-impaired voters in the short term and provide sign language interpretation in the long term”

    “INEC to provide Braille ballots or assistive tactile to enable visually-impaired voters to independently participate in voting in upcoming elections “.

    He said if at the end the issue of marginalising the PWDs was not resolved, that they would march to the states and National Assemblies to protest.

    Also, Nwanokwara Ncheta, acting women leader (JONAPWDs) in Anambra State, said the discrimination against their members in the society had reached an alarming rate and needs to be addressed urgently.

    She narrated how she was denied a job by some INEC staff during the last election in the state, until the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) then intervened.

    The JONAPWD’s secretary general in the state, Ugochukwu Okeke, said some people believe that their members were inconsequential, adding that it was not by their own making, noting that nobody had right to question God.

    He said most of the normal beings were not better than some of their members academically and otherwise.

    The state chairman of Nigeria Association for the blind, Uche Nnadi, said they have many challenges facing them in the society, including denying them some rights as citizens of the land.

     

  • Wheelchairs for three minors

    Wheelchairs for three minors

    It was a happy moment when three physically-challenged persons in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, received wheelchairs from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    The gesture was part of the mandates of the Corps Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) designed to provide quality health care services for the less-privileged and the physically-challenged, particularly in the rural communities.

    The wheelchairs were presented to the beneficiaries at the HIRD programme held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

    The three beneficiaries, Steve Okejide, (male) and two females namely Aishat Maroof and Omolara Adebusayo emerged through an open balloting among eight persons who vied for the wheelchairs.

    However, the sum of N27, 250, raised at the programme was shared equally among the eight physically-challenged for their upkeep. The presentation ceremony was witnessed by the Oyo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Ifeoma Anidobi, top NYSC officials, corps members and some physically-challenged individuals who were accompanied by their friends and relations.

    The Head of Local Government Administration, Ibadan South East Local Government Area, Mrs. Victoria Akinpelu, represented the caretaker chairman of the council, Alhaji Teslim Ajimobi.

    Mrs. Anidobi said the aims and objectives of HIRD were “to sensitise the rural dwellers to the dangers of some common ailments and preventable diseases, to diagnose and also treat rural people in selected communities who are suffering from one illness or the other.”

    She stressed that the gesture was also aimed at providing first aid services for minors on peculiar ailments and provide free screening services on HIV, hepatitis and sickle cell anaemia, among others, adding that stakeholders in the health sector contributed immensely to make the objectives achievable.

    She said: “To make the programme achieve its full objectives, various stakeholders in the health sector, corporate entities, non-governmental organisations; global agencies such as World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and regional bodies such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID) were contacted to assist in areas of drug donation, logistic supplies, enlightenment talks and rural health shows.

    “The programme had been carried out in all the states of the federation and has also received positive media publicity and response from rural dwellers. To add more value to our society and to improve the well-being of the citizens, the present Director-General of the scheme, Brig-General Sule Kazaure decided to bring health relief to the residents of Ibadan South East Local Government Area, even as he directed that three sets of wheel chairs be distributed to the physically-challenged for easy mobility.”

    The corps members serving in Ibadan South East Local Government Area, however, adopted one of the three beneficiaries, Aishat Maroof.

    Miss Bukola Olayode, who spoke on behalf of the corps members, said Aishat was adopted because she is already in a primary school. The gesture was aimed at lifting financial burden off the shoulders of her grandmother, who has been taking care of her since Aishat’s mother died.

    Olayode said the adoption would cover all educational expenses of Aishat, adding that the leadership of NYSC were involved so that the gesture would not stop for Aishat when the present set of corps members pass out of the scheme.

    Mrs. Akinpelu, on behalf of the council’s chairman, appreciated the NYSC for the gesture, describing the event as significant.

    She added that giving to the underprivileged in the society is a humanitarian service that should be continuous.

  • How Adeleke Varsity actualised my dream, by physically challenged graduate

    A 23-year-old physically challenged graduate of Political Science of Adeleke University Ede, Osun State, Miss Sherifat Odemo, has been offered automatic employment by the university.

    The employment was announced by the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council Dr Adedeji Adeleke during the Pro – Chancellor’s dinner which formed part of events lined up for the just concluded third convocation.

    In addition to the employment, Adeleke said arrangement had been made for Odemo to do the mandatory National Youth Service Corps at the university.

    Dr Adeleke made these pronouncements while reacting to an earlier gratitude by Sherifat to the courtesy shown her by management of the university despite being physically challenged.

    As an undergraduate, Sherifat thanked the university for providing her a motorised chair to aid her movement, scholarships, and arranging a special classroom for her lectures.

    Recounting her story, Sherifat who came out with a second class (Upper Division) degree, said she made Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, (AAUA) Ondo State, as her choice institution when she wrote UTME. Unfortunately she could not meet AAUA’s cut-off mark; and while contemplating her next move, her mother received an SMS from Adeleke University offering her daughter admission. That message seemed to create fresh worry as the Odemos wondered where to raise the money for Sherifat’s tuition.

    In the end, Sherifat said she grudgingly accepted the offer following her parents’ consent. Miraculously, management of Adeleke University considered her condition, including her struggling parents, and therefore awarded her scholarships.

    She was also grateful to the management for relocating her to the university’s temporary site, where the buildings were mainly bungalows, making movement for her a lot easier. She recounted her harrowing experience once at the permanent site, where she strained to crawl upstairs clutching her laptop either for lectures or class work.

    At a point, Sherifat remembered how the motorised chair acquired for her by Dr Adeleke, stopped working; but within days the university’s vice – chancellor Prof Ekundayo Alao, made arrangement for a new one.

    Going down memory lane, Sherifat recounted how she started out as a low performer in primary school.

    “I was not bright when I was in primary school, but I was not discouraged. Challenges were many but I continued to work harder until I got into secondary school where my performance started to improve, and this never stopped until I got admission into university and came out with Second Class Upper Division.” she said.

    Sherifat said she chose to be educated despite her condition so as to become an asset and stand tall among her contemporaries.

    She advised others in her shoes not to see their situation as a ‘death sentence’; but a challenge to succeed.

    To her contemporaries generally, Sherifat said education is a must regardless of the situations.

  • Physically challenged lawyers petition NBA over conference

    A physically challenged lawyer, Daniel Onwe, has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take lawyers with disabilities into consideration in planning for the forthcoming annual general conference.

    In a May 24 letter to the Chairman, Technical Committee on NBA Conference Planning, Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN), the lawyer urged the association to make adequate arrangements for those with special needs.

    Onwe, who wrote on behalf of Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN), identified areas of need as venue accessibility, sign language, Braille version of conference materials, assistive attendants, parking lots and reduced conference fees.

    He wrote: “The venue of the conference should be such that would be accessible for persons with disabilities. Where possible, the buildings to be used should be the ones with ramps and lifts. Similarly, the dais or platforms should be such that persons with disabilities, including those on wheelchair, can access. This is demanded by section 24 of the Lagos State Special People’s Law, 2011.

    “For the benefit of lawyers who have hearing impairment, there should be at least one sign language interpreter to translate the proceedings of the conference to sign language. There should also be some  Braille version of, at least, the most important conference materials for the benefit of lawyers with visual impairment.

    “There should also be designated parking lots for persons with disabilities. We recommend that lawyers with disabilities, particularly the young ones, should be given full or at least partial waiver of the conference fees.”