Govt should incorporate the physically challenged - Ekanem

Mr Edmond Ekanem, the Chairman of the Physically Challenged Persons Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom state chapter spoke to KING UMANA..

What is the Association all about?
It is about bringing the physically handicapped from across all the 31 L.G.A’s in Akwa Ibom state, to assemble and encourage them, to bring out their potentials and direct them to useful purposes. It is also about harnessing these potentials and bringing them to the fore for the government to make use of them. We are part and parcel of the citizens of Akwa Ibom State, and as such, the association is a platform to reveal who we are ; we mobilize ourselves to participate in government activities, it is a platform that encourages our members to take part in civic responsibilities, exercising political franchise, participating in government, economy, and social programs, in fact, it is a socio-political organization that we use to advance our ambitions, potentialities, so  as to be made useful in life and join other citizens in national building.

The association liaises with government and other bodies to create employment opportunities, secure scholarships, empowerment, skill acquisition training, etc for our members

 What has been the government response to the association?
Over the years, it has not been easy due to the less response from the government, despite our efforts, but this is not to say that the government has not been assisting us, but sometimes it does not get to us due to government bureaucracy and some people who are not ready to advance the cause of the physically handicapped. We have been spreading awareness through the media and social networks but nothing has been done, we are supposed to be seriously funded to enable some of our members to go to school, engage in one trade or the other, acquire skills, to mention but a few. 

Some of us who are in the higher institutions have no sponsorship. A lot of us have learned trade but there are no funds to start up these trades, and because of this we have been subjected to extreme sufferings. The few of us that are through with higher education, actually struggled a lot and getting employed is not forthcoming, in that case, if we are empowered, financially, we will be able to go in to business and other trades , and these burden will be taken off government and the society at large. 

There is no coordinated body to equipping those who have learned trade, this is why we came together to form the association, this will enable our members to channel their proposals, pleas, letters for empowerment etc to the government and NGO’s. I was elected last year but we have little or no fund to run the association and also we are supposed to be liaising with all the L.G.A’S but we do not have mobility to aid us, so we can discharge our duties as executives. The association is duly registered with ministry Of Women affairs, but we have no available fund to run it, even the impress we are to be given is not available to us, so we are really suffering. We are calling on corporate bodies and government to come to our aid. For instance in the area of special sports, if government pays attention to it, it will really absorb the physically challenged from the streets like we are witnessing in Lagos and other states of the federation. 

Most of us can make a living out of it, if special sports is granted due attention, am telling you ,our members will not be along the streets, in fact, it is shameful to see people with disabilities begging in a blessed state like ours. If public-spirited persons can help us in each LGA, it will be very nice, we are really suffering. I have a comprehensive list of all of us in the state. If we can purchase commercial buses or tricycle, I believe it can help in the welfare of our members, so that we will not over rely on government for our welfare.

 Many of us are talented, there are some of us who can weave lawyer’s wigs, make beads, and the likes, and these are the ones who will train other members but the funds are not there. Politically, some of us are well vast like a former councilor in Ibesikpo Asutan, ward 1, Hon.Ndifreke Thompson, and am using this medium to intimate the government to incorporate some of us, to also help ,in serving humanity, even in the governor’s cabinet, there should be special adviser on disabilities matters, to help take our plight directly to the governor.

 Like when I discharge my civic responsibility during my NYSC days, I had to take a bold step in helping a widow to build a two bedroom flat at ikot ekpeyak, ikono, in uyo  LGA. I went to Julius Berger and they decided to assist and today, that widow and her children can today boost of a house. Although, the project cost me a lot, that does not mean I must relent. Even though I was not appreciated, today I am thankful to God, for using me in touching a life. I spent all my NYSC allowance on that project, but am happy I was able to achieve such feat.

 If public- spirited individuals, NGO’s, corporate bodies, government, can come to our aid, I sincerely know what to do and am committed to do even more; to help our members in anguish.

 We are not happy to see our members on the streets begging, life could be better than this if things are properly done in the society.

If one is willing to locate your association, were can he/she meet you?
 For now we are still trying to get an office due to paucity of funds and that is why we call on the public to come to our aid, but since am the chairman of the association, I can be reached with this number;08138361566