By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar 111, has assured that he will make the Sultanate palace in sokoto more accessible to people living with disability (PLWD).
Sultan said: "I feel there should be a way where wheel chairs can drive into the palace. That is going to be the first thing we must do, making sure that we have also become wheelchair friendly palace. If you want to promote something, then, start it yourself. It is important for us to know some of these issues and it is by coming together with you like this that we will be able to know what the challenges you go through".
The Sultan who spoke when he received in audience the Executive Secretary, Mr James David of the National Commission for People Living With Disability and his entourage in his palace in Sokoto, wondered why they should be tagged disabled people when they have unimaginable abilities.
While noting that people often see PLWD as forgotten persons in the society, Sultan noted however that he doesn't like using the word disabled in describing them, hence there is ability in disability.
"They are not disabled. They are only challenged and challenged by Almighty Allah who created us. And all of us are equal. We are the same. Almighty Allah created us the way He did and that is His own choice. For some is by accident and nobody can challenge it. It is the Almighty Allah's wish. So we accept it like that".
The respected traditional cum religious leader recalled that America once had polio survivor as their President. "I want to assure you that the journey has just begun. I will work with this National Commission on People Living With Disability to see how we can educate everybody, especially the leaders in this country about this commission and it's work. And I want to assure the commission that they have a very, very reliable friend and partner in me being the Sultan".
Sultan Abubakar further admonished Mr James and his team to write formerly to the NAREC to come and talk to them at their Lagos meeting slated for September, 2022.
"From there, we will take it up so that the Muslims and the Christians will know that these people that are challenged are part and parcel of us and must be catered for, and giving due attention".
Speaking earlier, Mr James David, the Executive Secretary of National Commission of PLWD said they were in the palace to seek the royal support of the Sultan of Sokoto. He admitted that people might be looking at them differently because of their conditions, he however added that all human beings are the same before Almighty God.
"Disability makes us different in this world but we are all one before God", James noted.
James was accompanied in the courtesy visit by the acting chairman of the NCPLW, the Acting Chairman Governing Council, Mrs Amina Audu, an Assistant Director in the Commission, Mr Muhammad Baba.
Others are a friend of the Commission, Mr Samuel Kwankur, Aisha Abdullahi, Muhammad Galadima, Muazu Habibu Ns Abdullaziz Ibrahim.
Continuing, Mr James noted that the 19 years old struggle for a national law on the rights of PLWD got government nod with the signing of National Commission of PLWD by President Muhammadu Buhari into law on 17th August 2019.
According to him, the laws amongst other importance prohibits all forms of discrimination against their members.
He further revealed that their mission, is, to among other things, organize a national summit for religious leaders of all major faiths in Nigeria on inclusion of PLWD in their dealings.
While calling on all and sundry to give PLWDs the opportunity to lead themselves and even this country some day, Mr James thanked the Sokoto state government for paying stipends to the PLWD.
"We pray that in no distant time, Nigeria should have a Governor or President or political leader that is of the PLWD", Mr James prayed. NNL.
