Though the Nigerian constitution operates on the principle of rule of
law, there is obviously in place a social class system that
discriminates against certain members of the society. One of such
class of people is the physically challenged, sometimes derogatorily
referred to as the disabled. More often than not, if a typical
Nigerian comes across a physically challenged, the first impression on
his mind is that of a useless and hopeless person. And he shows this
by sometimes arrogantly offering alms. The dearth of baseline
information about this social category, especially in developing
nations, including Nigeria, usually clouds our knowledge about their
potentials (ability in disability).
Indeed, cases abound of discriminations against persons with
disability in getting access to public education, medical care and
employment. Most offices, shopping malls, banks and other public
buildings are erected with little or no consideration for mobility
impaired members of the society. Automated Teller Machines, ATMs, in
banks are built in such a way that those on wheelchairs cannot access
them.
This is in spite of a law, which recognizes and preaches that all
people be treated equally, regardless of their physical state.
Stemming from their inability to access basic facilities, all
empirical evidence point to difficulty for the physical challenged to
have a sustainable livelihood. Interestingly, at a political rally in
January 2015, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode made a solemn
promise to stand by them if elected as governor.
Today, true to his promise, management of People with Disabilities
(PWDs) in Lagos state has received tremendous boost consequent of
initiatives and empowerment programmes put in place by the government
to improve the socio-economic status of PWDs residing in the State.
The government has steadily employed and institutionalized empowerment
strategies which have no doubt expanded the prospects of persons with
disabilities in the State and expectedly changing the established
perception or narrative of people seeing them as beggars to those with
skills and attitude to become wealth creators.
The State, having identified challenges faced by this special people,
crucially backed its intention with laudable initiatives such as
‘Ability Expo’, ‘N500 million Disability Trust Fund’, ‘free ride on
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and LAGBUS buses’ among others to give PWDs
sense of belongings. The process of integrating PWDs into social
investment net actually started with the creation of Lagos State
Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) which co-ordinates the
education, social development, welfare and inclusion in of People
Living with Disability in governance.
Also, in its bold bid to showcase its inclusive social development
credentials, LASODA initiated ‘Ability Expo’ as an annual event
through which PWDs who are into various enterprises, especially those
that produce goods and services, are given the opportunity to showcase
their businesses to the world. Also, individuals, groups, institutions
and other stakeholders whose line of businesses are disability-concern
related are allowed to participate in the special exhibition.
Majority of PWDs in business are into small scale businesses and lack
means of letting the people know what they do or sell because of lack
of funds to embark on advertisement in the media and participating in
some popular exhibitions. Hence, the “Ability Expo”, as an exhibition,
bridges the gap for people with disability in the State, as people
come to see what they have to offer and also patronize them through
purchases. As a matter of fact, all MDAs are duty-bound to reserve
specific quota for PWDs in any programme they may wish to embark upon
for the benefit of the public.
In order to sustain on-going efforts to improve the lots of PWDs in
the state, the state government recently recorded yet another landmark
feat with the granting financial incentives and assistive devices
distributed to clusters of PWDs in the state. This took place at an
event held on February 12th, 2019 at the Blue Roof, LTV 8, Agidingbi,
Ikeja, tagged ‘The Official Presentation of Assistive Devices and
Empowerment Grants to Persons Living with Disability in Lagos State’.
The devises were distributed and a wide ranging sum of money given out
to different clusters that include Joint Association of Persons living
with disabilities, National Association of persons with physical
disability (Lagos Chapter), Lagos State Association of the deaf,
National Association of the blind, Association of parents of children
living with intellectual disability, Spinal cord injuries association
of Nigeria (NSCIAN), Lagos Chapter, The Dwarf Association of Nigeria,
Lagos State Chapter and Lagos State Albinism Society.
The import of this particular enabling project should not be lost on
all of us. If our truly desirous of ridding beggars from our highways
and streets across the nation, this is really the way to go. A New
York Times bestselling author, Richard Paul Evans, once said”: “Broken
vows are like broken mirrors. On the other hand, a vow kept is a
prized mirror. It radiates happiness and satisfaction in people.
Testimonies and mood of the participants especially persons with
disabilities at the Blue Roof event say it all.
It could be recalled that in 2017 LASODA Governing Board organized
entrepreneurial and empowerment programme through which 500 PWDs were
given one hundred thousand naira each as non-repayable financial
grants for various small scale businesses. Also, PWDs that are
interested in skill acquisition were provided with opportunity to
learn various vocations at workshops organized by LASODA. So what
happened recently is not a mere event but a sustainable project.
It is in this light discerning minds will expect corporate bodies to
hearken to the call of the government for collaboration to boost this
renewed effort towards making life more meaningful for People Living
with Disability. Though government has a responsibility to ensure a
good living standard for its people, individuals, groups and private
organizations, no doubt, also have a duty to help the vulnerable ones
in the society.
Musbau is of Features Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Information and
Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja
