Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) have been challenged to rise above their limitations so that the society does not see them as destitutes.
The traditional ruler of Asaba Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Prof Epiphany Azinge, gave the charge while declaring open the maiden Town Hall Meeting series organised by News Central Television, in collaboration with TAF Africa, with focus on issues affecting Persons With Disabilities (PWD).
Prof Azinge said the era of sympathy for those affected had given way to solutions by way of trying to approach the challenges of the physically challenged from the point of view of equity and justice, so that an injury to one would be injury to all.
The Monarch stated that certain rules must be made specifically for the physically challenged, noting, however, that “there is ability in disability”, and being physically challenged never meant condemnation of the person living with it to a destitute.
He said further: “So, when we talk about charity or empathy we look at people with disabilities as if they are destitutes, but they are not. And you must not present yourself as such. So, we want to see you rise above your limitations, and that is where you must proceed from. So not allow yourself to be circumscribed by the disabilities that you are confronted with.
“It is only when you have done that that we can now start thinking of how to deal with your situation. That is when the issue of discrimination can come in. That is when the issue of equitable inclusivity will come in. So, you must do work for yourself.
“Way back in 1981 when I was a lecturer at the University of Benin, I had some blind students in my class and they were able to excel because they were determined to succeed in life regardless of their disability. You must put yourself in that bracket before you can start questioning whether government has done enough for you or not.
“So, these are some fundamental issues that I believe will form part and parcel of your conversation today. Answer your own questions, then government will answer theirs. I observed coming into this town hall that whatever is out there in form of a ramp was just a make shift. It was not specifically designed. In other words, this hotel was built without consideration for the physically challenged. It is because of this town hall that they put whatever they put there. These are the people we should be talking to.
“So, we must continue to challenge people. It is not only government but Private organisations, individuals, collectively and otherwise, members of the community, society. We must continue to lead advocacy so that they can understand that there are certain things that must be done in order to accommodate the interest of the disabled in our midst.
Earlier, the Founder/CEO of TAF Africa, Amb. Dr. Jake Epelle, thanked News Central for championing the crusade to get the voices of persons with disabilities not only heard but taken into cognisance in Implementation.
Dr Epelle noted that for too long the conversation around disabilities had been shrouded in the language of charity and pity, emphasizing that sympathy never built ramps, never created jobs, nor enforced laws, saying that the town hall was a platform to pivot from a charity model to a right place reality.
“What the PWD community in Nigeria is asking for is that the Prohibition Against and Prosecution Act should not be a document gathering dust in Abuja, but a leading shield that protects the dignity of every Nigerian. This moment matters because we are at the crossroads. We have a legislation bur lack the lead experience of its enforcement.
“Across our states, we see barriers that are not just physical, but systemic. This town hall is demanding for a national strategy that is local in execution. To government officials and stakeholders, today we are here for conversation to commitment. I invite every speaker to move beyond telling us what the problems are. Tell us how you will solve them, and when you will fix them”, The Albino Foundation CEO said.
He paid tribute to Prof Azinge for his exceptional leadership qualities, and prayed God to grant him a long and peaceful reign.
Participants from Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, and the host Delta State attended the town hall meeting.
