From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
In Sokoto State Bruderhilfe Social Development Initiave, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has distributed no fewer than 81 wheel chairs to people living with disability to boost their morals.
The event was organised to mark this year’s World Disability Day in the state where the association put a smile to no fewer than the 81 persons across the state.
The president of the organisation, Mrs. Marry Bamigbe distributed the wheel chairs to the beneficiaries at Sultan Muhammad Maccido Institute of Qur’anic Recitation, Sokoto, saying no fewer than 27 million Nigerians representing 15 per cent of its population are living with one form of disability or the other.
Bamigbe also expressed concerns over the non implementation of the 2018 Act prohibiting the ‘Discrimination Against Persons with Disability.’
She noted that the act has not been effective since it was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, raising concern for its non implementation.
Mrs. Bamigbe, who was represented by Mr. Tosin Makinde, noted again that a number of disabled persons have the potentials and requirements to transform the society in many spheres of socio-economic activities.
He appealed to the authorities to speedily ensure equal treatment is extended to people living with disability across the country.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Building Back Better: Toward a Disability-Inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable Post COVID-19 World.’
While appealing to spirited individuals, organisations, government and patriots to strengthen efforts at supporting the drive towards the empowerment of disable persons, the President also acknowledged the unequalled support of Alhaji Muastapha Sarkin Kabin Yabo, Sokoto State Government and other donors as Medshare, Centre for Poverty Reduction and the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar to the course for humanity.
Speaking, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Prof. Aishatu Madawaki, commended the effort of the organsation for considering the flight of the people with special challenges, urging others to emulate by initiating such kind gesture.
Madawaki explained that such an organisation deserves commendation as they were augmenting the effort of the government toward eliciting the suffering of the people.
According to her, the state government has embarked on the general rehabilitation of disabled persons across the state as its effort to provide a conducive living atmosphere to people with various deformations.
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Disable Matters, Abdulazeez Ibrahim, described the issue of disability as one fundamental aspect that should be taken with concerns as their population was significant and instrumental to nation building if adequately given the needed attention and support.
Ibrahim, who himself is a disabled person, noted that despite their talent and readiness to promote better Nigeria, ” they are victims who became vulnerable especially as a result of violence and other disasters.”
He stressed the need for government and organisations to give persons with disabilities a sense of belonging by including them in their affairs to fast track socio-economic independence among themselves through beneficial programmes.
Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by the Sarkin Yakin Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi said no segment of the nation population deserves attention and quick response as those with disabilities. “They are Nigerians with equal rights and should be given equal opportunities to add value to our development process,” he stressed.
