Date Published: 01/25/10

Neglecting the Handicapped By Tony-Anthony John

In the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, every Nigerian, irrespective of any circumstance, has right to freedom from discrimination. This, then, leads me to ask the question: where is the place of the physically challenged persons in our society?

The issue of neglect of these our brothers and sisters in the society, has always remained theoretical. Especially, from the government, things affecting this set of people have not received the desired attention when they come to implementation.

By matter of honesty, daily experiences of the physically challenged persons and some members of the public, would tell you that, that portion(Section 42) of the constitution functions in disregard to its stipulation.

I was amazed, highly disturbed and disappointed at  a recent event that ought to be for both such persons and members of the public. The occasion, if plainly and mildly described, was absolutely humiliating and neglecting.

On Monday, December 28, 2009, the South-South Physically Challenged Indigenes(SSPCI),Rivers State Chapter, held their End-of-Year get-together at the Conference Hall of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Port Harcourt, as a thanksgiving to God, just like every other person or group. The event, which was scheduled to commence at noon, unfortunately, took off some minutes to 5pm and lasted for less than an hour.

Pissed off by the unholy time wasted, I had to question the cause of the delay. The President of the group, Mr. Itekena Altraide, a graduate, apologetically, attributed it to some logistics problems. To me, logistics mattered little or nothing, since we have used to Nigerian Time(not African Time). But, my concern was the attendance, which was not a good sign from both the government and members of the society.

My instinct told me that the few guests, aside members, present were relatives and friends of members of the group and a few journalists. Perturbed by the poor turn-out, particularly the absence of government officials, I asked the group’s president if no invitation was given to them, or adequate publicity made. I could not believe it when he said that over twenty-four(24) government officials were invited, aside other bodies and individuals.

Though unconfirmed report said that, the event was sponsored by the government, there was no representative, whether official or unofficial, from the government, quite surprisingly from the Ministry in-charge of social welfare. Moreover, that day was not a public holiday. So, there is no convincing reason the government would give for shunning the event.

I want to state unequivocally that, if it were an individual in authority hosting the get-together, both invited and uninvited guests would want to attend the occasion. However, the event was held at a strategic venue where virtually all ministries are located. I guess it would be the expectation of the organizers to see a lot of guests gracing the occasion. Candidly, I had expected to see a scenario where members of the public would show this category of people that they care for them.

I commend the courage of Mr. Altraide in championing the course of dispelling discrimination in the South-South region, especially in Rivers and Bayelsa States. It takes a brave and confident mind to take up such challenges. It is wrong and highly condemnable in all ramifications to treat these people as if they are outcasts in the society. Absence of government officials at the event, underscores whatever plans or programmes the government might have for them, if any.

We have to understand that, these our beloved brothers and sisters, children, relatives and friends did not create themselves like that. About ninety-nine percent of them were not architects of their predicaments. In fact, none of them had wished to be incapacitated. But, out of some circumstances beyond their control, nature had overwhelmed them.

Some of them got deformed out of parental and medical practitioners’ carelessness. Some, theirs resulted from auto crash. There are those theirs were caused by industrial hazard and accident. While, others were perpetrated by man’s inhumanity against man. So, in which way would they be held accountable for their un-bargained situation? How long shall they continue to live dejectedly in the society? Or, how long shall they continue to live at the sympathy of the public who hiss at them?

Aside agility, there are many able-bodied individuals that cannot compete favourably with this set of people. Many of them, who believe that there is ability in disabilities and took the bull by the horns, have thrown serious challenges to the physically empowered ones with laurels achieved in sports and education. There is virtually no aspect of human endeavour where you would not identify them. What they need from you and I is to complement their efforts.

My argument and belief is that, if, in deed, government and the public see the physically challenged persons as stakeholders in the commonwealth resources of the Nigerian society, they would not see and treat them as liabilities to the society. Gone are those years when they were dependents. Nowadays, many of them are professionals, excelling in their respective fields of endeavour, reversing the aberration of dependency to self-reliance.

What I am saying is that, government can reserve some exclusive positions in the ministries for these people. There is somebody I know in Imo State with such disability, working with the state Ministry of Social Welfare. He oversees the affairs of the disabled persons. Those of them that are educated should be employed based on merit and not out of sympathy. For those of them without paper qualifications, they should be encouraged to go undergo some skill trainings, so that they can earn a living.

Above this, I do not know the position of our lawmakers over the clamour by these people to pass a bill that would guarantee them equality in the society. Fairness is ideal. Therefore, to ensure peaceful co-existence, it is not early if a bill is passed in their favour to give a sense of belonging in our society.

No matter what approach they may adopt to press further their demands, government or the society should not see them as being confrontational. When I was chatting with Altraide about the few members of the group that attended their get- together, he me that mobility is the major constraint confronting them. On this premise, it is my position that as government donates vehicles to various groups and organizations, the physically challenged group, should be given priority attention.

The SSPCI, whose objective is to promote the aspirations of members, within its six years of existence, is still to be recognized. Ordinarily, it would have been a welcomed platform for the government and corporate bodies to easily reach out to them, in order to address their needs. In a situation where this is not forthcoming, it would not be offensive for the group to adopt whatever means to convey the grievances of its members to the larger society.

It could be radical or social. But, whichever one they employ should not be misconstrued to confrontation or seen as a crime. It is sad to state that this group had sometime ago, experienced brutality from security operatives during a peaceful protest to the Rivers State government. How could you explain a situation where persons, who are vulnerable, were dehumanized by security operatives? Pathetic, in deed!

This is a sort of hatred and abysmal disdain by the society. In fact, I would say, the condition of these our beloved ones could easily touch the psyche of anyone with conscience. Humanly, they are bound to be infuriated seeing their fellow human beings paid attention by the government, while they are dejected. They have their quota to contribute in one way or the other to the development of the society. They should be encouraged.

The much we can give to them is by seeing them as part of us; as members of the society with distinction. Their sticker reads: I Care, Do You? Con we in all honesty, answer this simple question? It might not be monetary, but acceptability.

Let us have a change of mind and perception about the physically challenged persons in our society, especially those of them that have taken up the challenges not to be negatively influenced by their conditions.   

Tony-Anthony John

07038493735

rosanconnection@yahoo.com