“Empowering People with Disabilities: Ganduje’s Call to Northern Governors to Combat Begging in Nigeria”
Abdullahi Ganduje, the recent former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress and ex-Governor of Kano State, has encouraged governors in Northern Nigeria to invest in individuals with disabilities to mitigate the issue of begging in the area.
Ganduje made this appeal on Friday during an event in Abuja.
He stated that with sufficient investment in technological tools, education has become more accessible for those with special needs in society, enabling them to contribute more effectively to themselves and to the community.
This gathering convened specialists in disability education, officials from both federal and state governments, as well as staff, alumni, and students of Tudun Maliki Special School, Kano, featuring a keynote address from the vice principal of the institution, Ibrahim Abdukabir, discussing the influence of the Let’s Talk Humanity Initiative.
He remarked that if governors and other relevant parties embrace the strategy of human investment, it is certain that significant alterations will occur in our community.
“Indeed, they are overlooked due to their physical challenges. This has impacted their mentality and drive, leading them to doubt their humanity compared to others. However, through initiatives like this, we are empowering them to be seen as equals in our society.
“Ultimately, I implore those in positions of authority and developmental partners to enact substantial change; it’s about fishing. Those with physical challenges need not continue begging. They can evolve to the point of becoming employers of others. They could potentially become innovators in various fields of activity.”
In addition, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Dr Bernard Doro highlighted the importance of considering people living with disabilities when designing programs or tools.
“When we create assistive devices or technology overall, this must be done keeping individuals with disabilities in mind.
In her address, the founder of Let’s Talk Humanity, Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, emphasized that empowering persons with disabilities is crucial for societal advancement.
