Nigeria is one of the worst places for disabled persons to live in – Gbenga Daniel’s son
Nigeria is one of the worst places for people living with disabilities to live in.
Adebola Daniel, son of a former governor of Ogun state, said so. Having been confined to a wheelchair since age five, he should know.
Daniel said this in a statement in which he announced the establishment of a foundation to press for equity and fairness to the physically challenged persons in Nigeria.
He said the Debola Daniel foundation was born out of the need to create a movement to seek for not just equity but to challenge the mindset of the average Nigerian.
“I see a lack of integration and it saddens me knowing that there is a young disabled Nigerian out there that has the capability to achieve what I have achieved and even surpass me but regrettably, he/she is not being given the adequate support from government and the society.
“It is unacceptable that most schools in Nigeria are inaccessible. It is unacceptable that road side pavements are not fit for wheelchairs.
“It is unacceptable that Shell and other multinationals adhere to strict disability codes in the US and UK but are unable to carry this same principles to Nigeria,” he said.
Adebola, who has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from University College London also recounted how he became confined to a wheelchair.
“I was born into a very comfortable home, with both amazing parents and without a disability. However, when I turned 5, I was diagnosed with paraplegia- a rare condition with no medical clarity.
“I became confined to a wheelchair.
“Growing up in Nigeria, I unconsciously associated disability to poverty and crime due to amputated beggars on the streets mostly as a result of Sharia Law practiced in the North. This was general opinion of most Nigerians in my social circle as a child.
“Having myself become physically challenged, I was exposed to the stigma and assumptions that came with being ‘disabled’.
“All of a sudden, I was looked at with pity, with judgement and sometimes with resentment by my fellow countrymen.
“As I became an adult, I began to realise that the onus was on me to make something of myself and create my life and future the way I envision it.
“My future was, and would always be in my own hands.”
He however warned that his foundation was not a charity organisation that will give out wheelchairs and crutches to the less privileged.
Rather it will challenge government to think of disabilities when formulating policies especially in Education, Employment, Entrepreneurism and Development.
“At the moment, the foundation is working on a social media campaign with information, statistics and policies we support under the hashtag #DisabledNotUnable.(@Debola_Daniel
“A second segment titled #MyStory is being developed too, where the foundation celebrates disabled citizens who have decided that disability is not the end but just a different path.
“These people have decided to live life rather than be idle,” he said.
