Living beyond disability

In this report, DOYIN ADEOYE write that though many people with disabilities are not living their dreams due to socioeconomic and political barriers, there are yet many others who have surmounted these obstacles to live the lives they have always hoped for.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 15 per cent of the world’s population, which is over one billion people, have some form of disability, with the vast majority living in the poorest communities in low and middle-income countries, where poverty is both a cause and a consequence of disability.

With the ageing populations and increasing chronic health conditions, the rates of disability are increasing globally, while People with Disabilities (PWDs) continue to face various challenges. From lack of access to education, healthcare, transportation, jobs and other basic amenities, many PWDs are often faced with discrimination and stigmatisation.

Since 1992, every 3rd December has been used to celebrate the United Nations' (UN) International Day of Persons with Disabilities to draw attention to the rights of people who live with disabilities. The annual event focuses on encouraging a better understanding of people affected by a disability, together with helping to make people more aware of the rights, dignity and welfare of disabled people.

With an estimated 25 million people living with disabilities in Nigeria, it is therefore important to continue to raise awareness about the benefits of integrating disabled persons into every aspect of life, from economic, to political, social and cultural.

Having the theme ‘Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want,’ this year’s edition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities reflected the recent adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the role of these goals in building a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities.

Speaking with the reporter, former Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Physically Challenged Matters, Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi, noted that it is pathetic that achieving these goals is a mere mirage in the Nigerian context.

“Although the Nigerian government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), it is pathetic that it has not done anything as regards this to give it any credit. They only signed it because other countries did; there is obviously nothing to show for it, as Nigeria does not have any law that bothers on people living with disabilities.

“The Disability Bill which is supposed to protect the rights of children, women and PWDs generally has gone through three past presidents, right from President Olusegun Obasanjo’s era and was never passed to law. It went through President Jonathan twice, both when he was acting president and president, and he didn’t sign it either, saying that the financial implication was too much for the country to bear. I was a delegate during the last national conference and we passed over 118 resolutions that bother on PWDs and their families, yet nothing has been done on that so far,” he said.

Without the appropriate laws, the plights of PWDs are further aggravated, while they are forced to live on the margins of the society. Despite agitations from individuals, advocacy groups and development partners across the country to ensure that their economic, social, educational, emotional and psychological rights are respected, only a few states have reference to disability matters in their ministries.

Although the Bill again recently went through both Houses of the current administration, PWDs are still however, waiting anxiously for the day the Disability Bill will be passed to Law.

The Disability Bill provides the social protection of persons with disabilities against any discrimination that they may suffer from. It also establishes a National Commission for the disabled persons that will ensure their right to education, healthcare, social, economic, and civil rights as contained in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

Challenges to achieving equality for Nigeria’s LGBT community

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
“Being gay in Nigeria is like being on the most wanted list of a law enforcement agency; you are not safe and no one wants to associate with you. Sometimes I feel so scared, lonely and terrible that I just feel like ending my life.”

These were the words of 25-year-old Tope James (Not real names) as she discussed how life has been since she discovered her sexual orientation.

Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, of 2013, which took effect in January 2014, made a bad situation much worse for the already subdued Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community, as the law prohibits any form of gay marriage, or civil union entered into between persons of the same sex.

On 13 January, 2014, former president, Goodluck Jonathan signed into law the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which imposes various punishments for some types of homosexual acts.

The Act imposes a 10-year prison sentence on anyone who “registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations” or “supports” the activities of such organisations. It also provides a 14-year imprisonment for persons who contract same-sex marriage in the country.

However, it seems the law has paved the way for people to engage in homophobic violence without fear of legal consequences. There have been various reports of LGBT people in the country being molested due to their sexuality, as the Act has been used as an excuse by many to stage violent attacks on the LGBT community.

While some are extorted for their secrets to be kept, others have been sexually abused, and there seem to be no legal protection against discrimination of the LGBT community in Nigeria.

Although the Act only intensified the attacks, the challenge of homosexuality is not a new thing to the Nigerian society.

Incredible world of family of beggars

Different professions are acceded from one generation to the other as children step into the shoes of the role models in their families. You hear people say things like, "Law runs in the family; the father is a lawyer and so are the children." However, DOYIN ADEOYE found out that this is not the preserve of the 'noble' professions as some professional beggars also nurture their children to follow in their footsteps.

AT the outset of begging, those engaged in it did so strictly because they had deficiency in some key areas of their lives such as being too poor to provide for their own needs or having a physical disability which limited their chances of working to earn a living. But the story has since changed. Nowadays, many able-bodied people have fully embraced begging as their own professions, even as they train their children to also beg.

Speaking with different groups of beggars, it was revealed that across different families, cousins and close relations, are all involved in the begging business. So, it was not surprising that when the reporter sought to speak with beggars along the Mokola Barracks Road, at Sabo, Ibadan, their spokesman insisted she should visit the Seriki (king) of the beggars for permission before any member of the group could say anything.

Finally when access was granted, a young man, who simply identified himself as Abdul, said "My father begs here and he has been into it for as long time as I can remember. He is blind and although my mother is not, they both stay here; while she sells food here. My father has nine children."

When asked how his father manages to cater for his children, Abdul, a secondary school student in  the North, who joins his blind father to beg during the holidays, explained that three of his sisters were married, two of whom were full-time housewives, while his other siblings, only try to make ends meet.

If my feet couldn’t take me to places, my arms would —Gbenga Daniel’s son

Adebola Daniel is the son of the former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, and the founder, Debola Daniel Foundation. Confined to the wheelchair, his recently launched organisation is committed to ending the stigma attached to people living with disabilities. He speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on the Nigerian environment and policies and how these affect the physically-challenged, among other issues.



WHAT are the visions and objectives of the Debola Daniel Foundation?

The thought of starting something to inspire a change in the mindset of Nigerian citizens popped into my mind sometime last year. Although I did not particularly know how I wanted to spark a change at the time, I knew I had to do something about the unending attitudinal scorning of people living with disabilities.

So the vision of the foundation in the long term is to seek an end to the stigma attached to being physically-challenged and to change the mindset of both disabled and non-physically-challenged citizens to push the notion that disability is not inability. Our objectives are to promote education, employment and entrepreneurship within disabled Nigerian citizens, while taking a top-down approach to discussing and influencing policy that affects disabled citizens.

Social media, viable tool for climate advocacy —Cross River Most Beautiful Girl, 2015

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Cross River Most Beautiful Girl 2015, Queenette Awukam is an environmentalist, advocating for more youths’ involvement in climate friendly activities.
“I have been advocating for forest conservation even before I became Cross Rivers’ Most Beautiful Girl. And I believe that being in this position is an avenue to further promote this. I am passionate about the sustainable livelihood of my people, coupled with the drive from my governor, Professor Ben Ayade, who is a source of inspiration in the course of championing climate change.
“I grew in a state that is very environmentally conscious; very clean and green. So having grown up in such place, I believe everywhere in Nigeria should be conducive enough for breathing and our day-to-day activities,” she said.
Using the platform to create awareness on climate change and its effect, Queenette said her green pictures which went viral of recent, is meant to reach out to more youths to be environment conscious.
“As a beauty queen and an artiste, I know that pictures are good sense of communication, as they speak louder than words. In one of the pictures, I, being the only live tree in the middle of dead logs, is an appeal for forest conservation.
“There have been innovations over the years; every youth is on the social media. So I feel that the best way to go reach out to them is to create more awareness using the social media. Every youth now wants to have fun, so we can as well educate them while they do that.
“For instance, the recently held Calabar Carnival had the theme: ‘Climate Change,’ which was used as a platform to educate youths on being environment friendly. More youths need to champion the course for a greener environment, and must take further steps in acquiring more knowledge on problems and particularly solutions on climate change,” she said.

Why we partner with secondary schools —RecyclePoints

BY DOYIN ADEOYE
RECYCLEPOINTS, an incentive based waste recycling and social benefit scheme is partnering with schools on waste recovery, reuse and recycling.
In line with its corporate objective to breed an environmentally friendly generation, the company, over the weekend, had a partnership with the Redeemers International Schools (RIS), Lagos, where the latter signed into the company’s Schools Recycling Programme.
“RecyclePoints motivates people to recycle by creating value from their everyday waste. We have a target of partnering with three schools every month, where we get them to have recycling bins and also educate them on how to sort their waste and recycle them. Through this programme, each school earn points from their recycling activities, which they then use to get rewards that we offer through our scheme,” Mrs Chioma Ukonu, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and co-founder, RecyclePoints said.
Speaking on what influenced the partnership with schools, she noted that many children over time are beginning to be more environment conscious.
“We had a lot of schools visiting our collection and sorting hubs in the past, just to learn about waste recycling. So we felt that since there was the affinity to understand at their age the benefit of waste recycling, we could carry the message to the schools directly, where they will see the idea of sorting waste from source.
“We offer various items through our incentive-based schemes, so for schools, we are looking at partnering with them to get things that would necessarily support their educational activities. Whenever they reach a particular point, they get something in return. For instance, like we did some two years ago, we invited them to an environmental quiz competition June 5, which is the World Environment Day.”

Why I want to be president of Spain --Helen Mukoro

Nigerian-born Spanish female politician, Helen Mukoro Idisi, made history as the first woman and an immigrant to be contesting for the presidency of Spain. The writer, legal consultant and forensic expert shares, in this interview with DOYIN ADEOYE, her passion, issues with the Igbo in Spain, how more women can be involved in politics, among other issues.

Why exactly do you want to be the president of Spain?
I am a good starting point to build a community based on the principles of respect and solidarity. Broadly speaking, there are a number of key points that make me a model candidate and a healthy unit that works for progress for all. And these points can serve as a self-assessment to ensure in every way that we would promote care of the environment; not act outside the limits of the law; propose many changes as we deem necessary to improve the quality of life in the country with a constructive attitude; avoid violence whenever possible, putting the dialogue as a means of conflict resolution; respect the rights of other living beings; be part of life in the country, its history and its decisions, enjoying their good times and helping to rebuild during its toughest crisis; assess other citizens, respect the role they play and their opinions.

You contested for the Mayor of Denia earlier this year and lost, what went wrong, and how did you bounce back from the defeat?
We lost, but it was expected. We came to understand that our party was only three months old when we contested, and we carefully examined our actions and criticised where we failed. But there will always be politics, and we are aware that our existence in the social organisation and ethical standards is an indisputable fact.

‘Nigeria, a country where a man can turn N500,000 into $20bn’

Sijibomi Ogundele is the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Construction Limited. At 34, he is a billionaire with various investments, and entrepreneur with a difference. He speaks in this interview with DOYIN ADEOYE about his business and style. Excerpts:

You recently delivered luxury estate, Medici Terraces, in Ikoyi, just within few months of your operations in Lagos. What did it take to put it all together, judging from the fact that it was sold out in record time?
The Medici Terraces was a successful project because we were true to our words of setting high standards, paying attention to details and not compromising on quality. We used the best raw materials, the best team and inputted outstanding features in the property. The facility management and concierge service, which is a subsidiary of Sujimoto Group, handles the day to day running of the property, giving residents the ultimate experience that cannot be derived anywhere else.
Our business mantra is “Build It, Sell It, Manage It.” So we always aim to exceed expectations in all three aspects. My main focus was to create the most beautiful town-house property in a choice area on the island in Lagos, and I dedicated all my effort into generating quality and value; ignoring immediate gratification.

What exactly would you say are the setbacks to the development of the real estate industry in Nigeria?
A few things come to mind as the setbacks to real estate development. The craftsmanship, lack of technical know-how, the significance of expertise and proper training are undervalued in Nigeria. As a result, finishing, quality and attention to detail are compromised.

If we want to compete with foreign developers such as the Germans, Lebanese and Italians that have spent decades mastering their craft, we will need to raise our standards in the Nigerian construction market. When people refer to quality as being expensive, I always correct them saying it’s not; what is expensive is our intention to deliver quality.

National policy on education should be reviewed -- Professor Adedoja

A seasoned educationist and former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, Professor Taoheed Adedoja is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of the Federal University, Dutse (FUD),  Jigawa State. In this interview with DOYIN ADEOYE, he shares the achievements of the institution, its prospect, and the challenges facing the education sector in Nigeria, among other issues. Excerpts:
How has it been since your appointment at the Federal University, Dutse?
I consider it a major responsibility to be one of those who would champion the cause of educational development in Nigeria, particularly in university education. I also consider myself to play a key role because of my background and experience, and also because I always find myself highly challenged if given any public responsibility. I have never failed in the past and with this assignment, I want to be seen as one who would champion the cause of good governance in higher education.
For me to be at FUD, I see it as a familiar terrain because it is quite easy for me to relate with the environment in which the university is situated. It has also been worthwhile because I met on ground a very visionary Vice Chancellor, Professor Jibril Dahiru Aminu, who was the VC at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), where I started as a lecturer. I also met a very committed Registrar of the university with whom we worked together at the Bayero University, Kano. Also, the Emir of Dutse, Dr Muhammed Sanusi, happens to be a friend and my senior while at Kano’s Teachers College. The environment is really conducive for me and more so, Jigawa is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.

I have fun when I talk to presidents —Zuriel Oduwole

Zuriel Oduwole is an achiever compared to many children her age. At 12, she has interviewed 15 heads of state and she has four films to her credit. The Global Ambassador for the Ethiopian Airlines shares, in this interview with DOYIN ADEOYE, her passion, inspirations, projects, among other things. Excerpts:
 What exactly drives you?

I really don’t know, but I know that I have the opportunity to do something and I am doing it. I see young children, especially girls, on the news, or whenever I travel across Africa, to countries like Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Egypt, on streets hawking and I think that they should be in school just like me. So, I’m doing what I can to tell older people to do something about this, because I can’t do it all by myself. I’m only 12.
What did you have in mind when you started your advocacy?
I was nine years old and even though we were born in Los Angeles, my parents who are from Nigeria and Mauritius, always tell us about our African heritage and who we are; the kind of history our continent has.
So, I knew that I had to tell my friends and other people at every opportunity, about the African continent, especially the positive things there, because usually on the foreign news, they show only the negative things in Africa, like wars, corruption, famine and disease, but Africa is much more than that.

2014 NUGA Games: ‘I run against time, not against opponents’

DOYIN ADEOYE captures, scenes from the 24th edition of the Nigeria University Games, holding at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
No doubt, Team University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) is a major team contending for the top spot of the medals table at the ongoing Nigeria University Games (NUGA) at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. And dearest of their athletes is Peace Uko, whose mind-blowing style of running is nothing but a command to the tracks.

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Speaking to newsmen after winning the 100m female event final with a time of 11.65secs, Peace, says she loves what she does. “I am not tired. I have trained for four months and I run against time, not against anyone,” she said.
Besides Peace, many other athletes have proven at the games that indeed, Nigerian youths are skilled, talented and vibrant, setting standards close enough to beat records.
Sitting conveniently on top of the medals table, UNIPORT dominates in almost every game and although medals have not been officially awarded, they can account for over half of the medals already won.

OOU students’ death, a loss to all Nigerian students—NANS •Losing our colleagues is disheartening—OOU SU President

From left, Secretary to Ogun State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga and Akinbo Ibukun, the only survivor of the accident, during their visit to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan, Ogun State on Sunday, to visit her.

Written by: Doyin Adeoye

The executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have commiserated with the friends and families of students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, who died in a ghastly road accident on Friday, June 26.
Speaking with Campusbeats, the president of the association, Tijani Usman, said that the incident was not just a loss to the OOU community, but to all Nigerian students.
Tijani, while sympathising with the management, staff and students of OOU, described the incident as tragic and devastating.
“It is really sad to hear that lives of young future leaders were cut short in their prime. Seeing young, energetic and promising students die in such a manner is not something that sits well with us.
“On behalf of all Nigerian students, I pray God will grant the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.
The accident was said to have occurred at Ilishan Junction, along Sagamu/Benin Expressway, where a container-laden truck with number plate BDG 779 XE, had a head-on collision with a Mazda commercial bus with number plate XV 311 MUS, killing all occupants, except one, in the bus instantly.

CEO, Kreatif Ink Media celebrates birthday with orphanage •Donates books to schools

It was a fun filled day for children at the Total Parental Guardian Home, Mobil, Ibadan, when entertainment journalist, Doyin Adeoye celebrateesire to give the children a sense of belonging and excitement.

“Today is not about celebrating myself, but these children. I have been here a couple of times and I just felt the need to celebrate the day with them. They are beautiful and they deserve all the fun they had and even more,” she said.

While receiving the celebrants and her friends, d her birthday with friends and well-wishers at the home. Speaking on what influenced the gesture, Doyin said the celebration was born of the dthe matron of the home, Evangelist Grace Akpan, appreciated the gesture, while also praying that God will continue to be a source of strength to her.

“Celebrating the children definitely means a lot to them. And we pray that God will reward you for this. I must confess that it is not easy running an orphanage, but with well-meaning individuals like her, it is helpful. And we really appreciate this,” Akpan said.

The song ‘Sade’ actually my real life story

Ever since he dropped ‘Sade,’ a cover to One Direction’s ‘Story of My Life,’ Adekunle Kosoko has become a popular name in the Nigerian music industry. From one stage to another, Adekunle Gold, as he is popularly known portrays creativity and style. He speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE in this interview on his career, label mates and craft, among other issues.

Foray into music...
I grew up listening to a lot of songs, from the old to the new. And it has been amazing how, over the years, I’ve learnt different genres. I was a member of the teen’s choir in church back in the days, and later on in life, I joined a band. So the interest has always been there; I’ve always been a music lover.
I later decided to take it up professionally because I believe that I have something to offer the industry and I could turn heads to the some extent with my kind of music. So in 2011, I started out with a band called ‘The Bridge,’ and we dropped a couple of singles; we featured Skales on the track ‘Norm Breaker,’ we did another one with GT The Guitarman titled ‘Make It Happen,’ and some other covers. So basically, I came into the industry officially in 2011.
What influenced your decision to go solo?
Things were not working for us the way we wanted it. It can be hard for a duo to break into the industry. It is even a hard for a solo artiste, not to talk of a group. So my partner and I discussed and decided to part ways to see how it would work out. And so far, it turned out to be the best decision I have ever made.

How I sold 39 cars to Mayweather

Obi Okeke is the co-owner of American based prestige car dealership, Fusion Luxury Motors. His clientele list includes Floyd Mayweather, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Britney Spears and the likes. He speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE in this interview on his foray into being a celebrity car dealer, among other issues. Excerpts:

How I carved a niche for myself

I would say it is the result of me following my passion for cars. I’ve always stayed true to myself in the automotive industry and it has always paid off. My focus was always to learn, and try to be the best. I always knew what I wanted, but did not know exactly how to get there. So after years of trial and error here I am. I’ve always appreciated every opportunity that came my way.

Foray into being a car enthusiast

The journey began when I was only four years old. I remember being very intrigued with automobiles while in Nigeria. My father at that time had a classic American car in Enugu, Nigeria, and he would take us for a ride in it on Sundays.

So when the Nigerian Civil War broke out, my mother took us out of Nigeria; we were five children at that time. My father, being a Nigerian, had to stay and fight in the war. So my mother, my sisters, brothers and I arrived in the USA as refugees.

Nigerians making waves in Hollywood

They are Nigerians and they are world class entertainers. From movies, to art and music, these Nigerians are forces to be reckoned with in their various choices of career. DOYIN ADEOYE writes about Nigerians making waves in Hollywood.

Chiwetel Ejiofor
A renowned British actor of film, television and theatre, Chiwetel Ejiofor was born in July 1977 in London to Nigerian parents. He gained a scholarship to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after he enrolled at the National Youth Theatre in 1995 and by age 19, and only three months into his course, Chiwetel was chosen by Steven Spielberg to play a small part in Amistad as James Covey.

His archive of awards and nominations include the BAFTA Orange Rising Star Award in 2006, five Golden Globe Award nominations and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for his performance in Othello in 2008.

Finance’s simple rule: ‘No risk, no profit’

Christian Ngan is the CEO, Madlyn Cazalis, a bio-cosmetics company that produces natural body oils, lotions and soaps for ethnic skins. Starting with only $3,000 in 2012, the company is now worth million dollars. Recognised by Forbes Africa as one of 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa 2014, he speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE in this interview, on what it takes to run a successful business in Africa.

What exactly does Madlyn Cazalis stand for as a brand?
Madlyn Cazalis is an all-natural African cosmetic company. We fight against bleaching products and through our brands, we provide quality African-owned products. I noticed that we don’t have enough major African international brands; we depend a lot on foreign products, forgetting that Africa has a lot of resources that we could work with. So Madlyn Cazalis is an African identity; the Zebra logo represents our African pride.
So what spurred you into being an entrepreneur?
I left Cameroon in 2002 to study in France. I was working in the Private Equity and Investment Banking Industry. I achieved my main goals: attending great universities and having professional experience, but I needed more. I needed to express my creativity, be my own boss and build something new, especially for Africa. So in 2012, I resigned and started my own company.

Piracy can never be eradicated, but...

Rykardo Agbor has been in the Nigerian movie industry for 23 years. Making waves in both the English and Yoruba sector of the industry, the actor who hails from Cross River State, speaks with DOYIN ADEOYE on his experience and prospects of the industry, among other things.

A friend introduced me to acting
I started acting through a friend, Leo Mirani. We were both fashion models then, but he was the one who introduced me to acting. I had always had it in me, but I never knew how to go about it. So, we both went for an audition, after which we went for cast selection for a TV commercial. When we got through with that, he took me to a movie audition and I remember Fidelis Duker was the one who coordinated it; that was in 1992. I got picked, my friend wasn’t. And that was the beginning for me.

Is xenophobia becoming part of South Africa’s way of life?

Xenophobia in South Africa is not a new phenomenon.  This has been in practice in the country on different occasions over the years. DOYIN ADEOYE writes on the developments in the recent attacks.

South Africa’s xenophobia, not a new phenomenon

As far back as 2008, tens of thousands of migrants were displaced, amid mass looting and destruction of foreign-owned homes, property and businesses across the country, with the violence coming in the form of high-profile mob attacks.

 At least 60 people were reportedly killed in the 2008 xenophobic violence in the country, prompting some 6,000 people to flee. The protest, which originated in the township of Alexandra, soon expanded to neighbouring areas. According to a Guardian report, at the time of the unrest,some 50 people were taken to hospitals with gunshot and stab wounds after protesters attacked dozens of shops and businesses owned by Zimbabweans in Cleveland, in the south of Johannesburg.

At least 1,140 people were arrested in connection with the violence, while displaced people were moved into temporary refugee camps with the government vowing not to force reintegration and not to deport immigrants found to be living in South Africa illegally.