Politicians should ensure disability inclusiveness – Ezewuzie

The Nigerian political class have been charged to always have the interest of the physically challenged at heart in their manifestos and properly involve them in decision making to give them a sense of belonging.

A virtually impaired person in Anambra, Barr Chuks Ezewuzie made the charge during an exclusive interview in his office in Awka, Anambra State.

Mr Ezewuzie who was also celebrating his 57 years birthday lamented that the society had relegated the physically challenged to the background, leaving them to die of humiliation and seclusion.

He disclosed that some politicians only remember them during elections to achieve their egocentric purpose and dump them after they achieve their victory.

Mr Ezewuzie who is also a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Disability Matters attributed his successes in life to God, who made him virtually impaired for a divine purpose.

According to him “I am celebrating two things. One is my life today and the second is one year of my appointment by Governor Willie Obiano.

We must know the two things, the day you were born and the day you will die. Most of it all is knowing God and accepting him as your personal Lord and Savior.

Some live while some exist, but knowing the purpose of which you were created by God will help you live. There is ability in disability. So be proud of what and whom you are, that will help you achieve your purpose in life through Jesus.”

The Senior Special Assistant enumerated some of the achievements of Governor Obiano, which includes appointment of physically challenged in different offices, employment of graduates of physically challenged in the state civil service, reconstruction of Basden Memoral Special School, Isulo.

He also emphasised that the state government had directed every public establishment in the state to include in their structure, the accessibility of the physically challenged, to be handicapped accessible.

“The Special School for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb otherwise known as the Basden Memorial Special Education Centre, Isulo, in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was among the 1,320 primary and secondary schools, categorised under (public and public-mission schools) across the three senatorial districts of the state that have been renovated by the state government. This was even as the school has continued to receive direct government funding.

“The school established in 1996 had been neglected by successive governments in the last 18 years in terms of infrastructure, as well as conducive learning and teaching environment, received the attention of the Obiano administration following the development of its blueprint expressed through the Wheel of Development.

The blueprint is anchored on four pillars including: agriculture, oil and gas, trade as well as commerce and industrialization.” Ezewuzie stressed.

Ezewuzie urged other politicians to borrow a leaf from Obiano to encourage disability inclusiveness in every level of governance.

He advised every physically challenged in Anambra State to quickly undertake the programmes mapped out by the present administration to empower themselves and become more meaningful to the society.

He noted “I stand for the oppressed. I have been a lawyer in the United States of America since 26 years, defending the rights of disabled people.

It was where Obiano invited me to assist him map out various programmes for them in the state. But I dislike the attitude of some people around him who prevent us from reaching him at times.

Governor Obiano has plans for the state. He is a good man. Other governors should emulate him. The physically challenged have potentials to help in developing the society. He added.