Disables association decries government’s neglect in Yobe

The Joint National Association of Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) has accused government of neglect in Yobe state.

The state chairman of the Association, Alhaji Usman Bura Gabai, disclosed this on Tuesday at a workshop organised by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL-EPC).

He noted that government had no regards for the plight of the persons living with disabilities in schools, skills acquisition and in implementing laws that favours the physically challenged persons.

He said that thousands of physically-challenged women and children are at risk of missing out on education for lack of teaching aids, inadequate teachers and other facilities.

“In fact, in some of the dilapidated special schools, their classes are their dormitory. It’s where they eat, read and sleep”, he said.

The chairman also regretted that his members lack skills acquisition support because their centre have been vandalised by Boko Haram insurgents.

Ibrahim Bukar Goniri, a former Principal of School for the Blind in Goniri, said they only have three (3) teachers in the school.

“No teaching aids, we don’t have equipment like braille that the visually impaired persons suppose to have for learning in the school.

In his presentation on the contemporary recovery issues in the state, he called on the authority concern to employ teachers, provide them with teaching equipment and empower persons with disabilities.

“Government must recognize the fact that they have responsibility toward us, with emphasis on women and children with disabilities. We also need the disability bill to enable us enjoy the rights we deserve”, he said.

The workshop entitled “Understanding Inclusion Matrix and Mainstreaming Inclusion in all engagement” also had in attendance the media, CSOs, women/youth groups and Persons Living with Disabilities across the state.