From Adebisi Onanuga
Activist and lawyer Debo Adeleke has stated that the law on the rights of people with disabilities in Nigeria is extremely ineffective and has failed to address the challenges facing the disabled.
Adeleke, the founder of the Foundation for the Physically Disabled Aid (PCAF), noted that people suffering from physical challenges had no impact on the law, adding that the law was politically motivated.
According to him, some individuals and business organizations such as educational institutions are still descending and showing discrimination against the physically challenged, especially in schools and other social centers.
“Many states have yet to implement the Disability Rights Act as we are still exposed to unfair treatment, injustice, relegation and discrimination,” he complained.
However, he praised the state of Lagos, which he found to be one of the few states in Nigeria that identify with the physically challenged.
According to him: “Lago’s politics are physically challenged in a friendly way. But the House of Assembly in Lagos needs to be more proactive.
“Right now, PCAF is trying to make the Executive Governor of Lagos State our inspirational Patron and Ambassador of Hope, but our request has yet to be answered.
The PCAF founder said the foundation once sent a comprehensive paper through the office of Honorable Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa to the Lagos State House of Assembly for the governor’s patronage and message, but no response was received.
“We believe that with His Excellency as our Patron, it would be easier to discuss our problems and possibly partners with the Lagos State government,” he said.
He said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s involvement in PCAF’s activities was a top priority for the foundation.
He said her wish was born out of the governor’s passion and compassion for the physically challenged and the oppressed in the state.
He added that it would be better for society if people with physical disabilities and the oppressed were given due attention and support.
He said PCAF will continue to encourage physically challenged people to move forward in life despite their disability and use their adversity to their advantage, stressing that they can contribute a lot to society.
He advised those who “banish, despise and unleash inhuman acts” to refrain from saying that physically handicapped persons are against humanity and divinity.
He urged all people with disabilities to break the curse of any barrier that has been placed on them, adding: “We are not limited to achieving our goals, of course disabilities are not disabilities. All we ask is fairness, justice and very humane dispositions of everyone and of different things. “
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