Grace Egila
Lokoja – According to the United Nations, the commitment to realizing the rights of persons with disabilities is not only a matter of justice; it is also an investment in a common future.
In Kogi state, PWDs are lamenting the hardships they face on a daily basis.
Recently, some of them shared their heart-touching stories at a one-day training workshop organized by Stallion Times Media Services on “Disability Reporting in the Media.”
He said after eight years of graduating from school, he has been searching for a job in government agencies and private companies, but he is yet unemployed.
“I am a BA degree holder in English and literary studies. I equally have a National Certificate in Education (NCE).
He is of the opinion that it is not just in Kogi state. Nigerians generally have a tendency of looking down on people with disabilities.
“The private companies are even more discriminating than government agencies in Kogi State.
“As unemployed physically challenged persons, we struggle to survive on a daily basis, unlike the able-bodied persons who if unemployed have other options of menial jobs like driving, building, and construction works.
“For me, with my added knowledge of computer literacy, I do some menial typing and printing jobs which have become the only means of survival.
“I can’t even think of marriage as nobody wants to marry us.
Mark appleade to parents of able-bodied people to give out their daughters or sons who have found love with any trusted and hard-working PWD in the community.
“We want people to consider and understand that there is ability in disability.
“I don’t know why parents with whose daughter or sons we find love discriminate and frustrate our marriage proposals.”
Maji Luke is a cripple. He shared his one and last attempt at marriage experience.
“Going through this emotional trauma was not easy for me, as I am still living with the pain. After that experience, I told myself I was never going to date any girl again because, in the end, rejection and mockery will be the result.
He also encouraged PWDs to acquire skills and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset rather than allow society to view them as liabilities.
“I am a shoemaker. At least I can feed myself without depending on anyone,” he proudly said.
On his part, the National Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAWPD) Kogi state Chapter, Comrade Solomon Yahaya, said some of the challenges faced by his members include a lack of access to free education.
He also said there are no free health care services for pregnant women with disabilities as well as wives of persons with disabilities.
“Sight saver is enlightening people about access to eye care which does not include other services as far as health is concerned,” he said.
He, however, said the National Disability Act talked about the need for agencies and companies to give 5 percent of their employment opportunities to persons with disabilities.
In March 2022, a Disability Act was passed by the Kogi state government.
He said currently there is ongoing recruitment for teachers, JONAWPD has written to the state government demanding the inclusion of PWDs in the scheme, to test the implementation ability of the law.
The Chairman, therefore, calls for the implementation of the Disability Act to address some the PWD challenges, especially sanctions for those who abuse them.
Source: Stallion Times
