Councillor donates salary to people with disability

Musliu Yusuf Ali, the councillor representing Gurungawa Ward of Kumbotso LGA in Kano, has donated his first salary to empower people living with disabilities.

The councillor had recently appointed 18 aides to assist him in discharging his responsibilities as councillor.

Also, a many people were given packs of facemask each to sell with a view to encouraging them to stop street begging.

Speaking to Kano/Jigawa Chronicle, Ali said the gesture was intended to end the menace of begging among physically challenged persons.

“I dedicated my first salary to empower people living with disabilities to encourage them and help them to become independent. My 18 aides and myself  have dedicated our salaries to support each of them with a pack of facemasks.

“The essence of this is that they should rather have something doing or selling than to be begging on the streets as it affects their minds. This will help to encourage and transform them to be self-reliant and change their mindset,” he said.

Some of the beneficiaries promised to use the opportunity to ensure  that they sold the facemasks and raise more capital to become independent.

The chairman of Kumbotso LGC, Honourable Hassan Garba Farawa, commended the councillor for the kind gesture and urged politicians in the country to emulate him.

Also speaking, a popular physically impaired person, Prof Jibril Isa Diso, enjoined the beneficiaries to shun street begging and embrace any of the available profitable businesses to become independent.

He said most times, people living with disabilities engaged in street begging due to neglect from the government and the society.

“This councillor has done something we have been looking for. We always need philanthropists who will empower and encourage people with disabilities to embrace business and other businesses that will help them become independent. This is indeed encouraging and I call on other people in government to follow suit.

“This is what we call community-based rehabilitation. We urge community members and call their attention to help the disabled people with what will make their lives better, “ Prof Diso said.