…Laud MacArthur Foundation, CHRICED for Support
By Armsfree Ajanaku
For many Nigerians in the economic bracket considered rich or the middle class, the heady days of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic devastation it left in its wake, may have since been forgotten. Same cannot be said of the multitude of poor and vulnerable citizens, who are yet to recover from the devastation imposed by the crisis.
Many of such vulnerable Nigerians have been struggling to cope, especially as the recovery plans and stimulus packages had no inclusive enough strategies. As such, those who lost their jobs, businesses and other sources of livelihoods have been in the limbo.
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In the absence of direct government programmes to alleviate these sufferings, some of these groups of marginalised and disempowered citizens have had to find ways to get their voices heard and draw attention to their plight.
One such marginalised group is the over 3000 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Original Inhabitants living with disabilities. Led by Mr. Festus Yakubu, a visually impaired, but passionate advocate, the group has been consistent in clamouring for the promotion of the economic rights of its members.
Organised under the platform of the FCT Original Inhabitants with Disabilities Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, the group’s advocacy recently resulted in some measure of succour. The timely intervention to address their plight, came in the form of a MacAthur Foundation funded project being implemented by the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED).
At the launch of the project recently, hundreds of people living with disabilities were in a jubilant mood, just as they expressed happiness that the project would contribute immensely to alleviating their sufferings.
At the formal launch of the project recently, the President of the Original Inhabitants with Disabilities Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, Mr. Yakubu enthused that the project was the first of its kind since the formation of the association.
He said: “For so many years, FCT Original Inhabitants with Disabilities were ignored and left to remain in pains. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, many of our members suffered due to lack of basic necessities, such as food, water and other supplies needed to survive those tough times.”
According to him, the suffering of the Original Inhabitants with disabilities was worsened by the failure of the government to ensure palliatives reached them.
The society’s helmsman was however upbeat that with the new project, the stories of pain and anguish, which they experienced in those difficult times have come to an end.
He said: “Looking at the objective of this project, which is to promote the economic and livelihood opportunities of FCT OI with disabilities, I will say it would not have come at a better time.
“Although FCT Original Inhabitants with disabilities are faced with many challenges, the biggest of them all, is the poverty, and economic marginalization they face. For FCT OI with disabilities to be able to participate in the bigger struggle to address the injustices against FCT Original Inhabitants, we must first be able to address the problems of lack of jobs, food, shelter and education for our children. Therefore, the importance of what CHRICED/MacArthur have done for us is that they have not just given us an opportunity to have our own sources of livelihoods.”
Subsequently, FCT Original Inhabitants with disabilities called on government agencies to implement similar interventions to reach people with disabilities. According to the group, the government and its agencies should realise that as FCT Original Inhabitants with disabilities are citizens of Nigeria, and should be treated as such.
His words: “CHRICED and MacArthur Foundation have shown the way; government agencies like National Directorate for Employment, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), National Commission for Disabilities, and even the Federal Capital Territory Administration should give FCT Original Inhabitants with disabilities the attention they have for long been waiting for.”
On his part, CHRICED Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, who was represented by Programmes & Communications Manager, Mr. Armsfree Ajanaku commended the group for its resilience and dedication.
He explained that since last year, CHRICED has been working in concert with Original Inhabitants to equip them with the skills and technical capacities required to sustainably and lawfully advocate for the promotion of their fundamental rights and interests.
He said: “An important part of the project is ensuring the needs of people with disabilities, women and the youth are integrated. This is important because without gender and social inclusion, the project would leave behind people with special needs.
We are much elated that FCT Original Inhabitants living with disabilities can now use this project as a launching pad to get the attention of the government and its agencies so that the various issues affecting them can be speedily addressed.”
Also in attendance at the programme were government officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Social Welfare Department of the FCTA who all promised to do more to promote the welfare and well-being of Original Inhabitants with disabilities.
