An appeal has been made by the Executive Secretary, Kogi State office for Disability Affairs to Sightsavers International on the need to extend and expand its programs in Kogi State. The Executive Secretary Office For Disability Affairs, Barr Zacchaeus Dare Michael, made the appeal in a meeting held with Caroline Harper, CEO Sightsavers International who was on a visit to Nigeria after 11 years to meet with PWD stakeholders as their phase 1 inclusive Eye health program winds up by 30th September, 2022. The meeting was held at the Boardroom of National Commission for Persons with Disability, Plateau House Central Area Abuja.Sightsavers International has been a major supporter and financier of many disability program in Nigeria. The meeting had all heads of Disability Agencies across the 36 of the Federation. Barr. Dare used the meeting to appreciate the Sightsavers International for the good work they are doing in Kogi State, listed the inclusive eye project in Kabba, with a well furnished clinic at the Kabba general hospital, where people pay as little as N12,000 as against N45,000 charged in other places. The Executive Secretary equally listed hospitals in Ankpa and Idah established by Sightsavers and made accessible to people on wheelchair as very commendable.The Executive Secretary used the opportunity to also thank Sightsavers International for the many capacity building program it has organised in the State, urged for extension and expansion of Sightsavers International programs in the state even after the September 30th day of the winding down of it program in Nigeria. The Executive Secretary specifically urged for Sightsavers International to cover more LGAs in the State, organise more programs in the areas of inclusive education, empowerment, employment and social security. Similarly, the Executive Secretary solicited the support of Sightsavers International to sponsor Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs to a strategic planning retreat in Lagos and to also help in developing a five year plan for the agency as it has done for other states in the country. Highlights of the meeting was the presentation of a locally made weaving gift to the CEO Sightsavers International on behalf of the Kogi State Government for the support it has given to Kogi State. Present at the meeting were Hon. James Lalu, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disability, the National President of Albinism, National President of Persons with Disability, Disability Trust Fund and many other critical stakeholders

The Chairman of the board, Hon Arome Ibrahim made the commendation in Lokoja while addressing the press on the political development of Governor Bello’s led administration in Kogi State. He stated further that, they have no regrets for supporting Governor Yahaya Bello’s project at all times and use this medium to appeal to other contestants of the same position to take the emergence of Hon Adukwu Emmanuel as God’s divine project, urged for support for the upcoming general election as the mandate will bring about all around dividends of democracy to the Constituency. He equally commended the leadership of APC at the national, state, local government areas, and wards level and assured the party of more commitment of members for the actualization of the mandate come 2023 InshAllah.

Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs has called for total compliance with the National Disability Act (2018) and the Kogi State Disability Act (2019) by making health facilities and other public buildings accessible for Persons with Disabilities. Chairman of the Board, Hon. Ibrahim Daniel Arome made the disclosure when he embarked on an evaluation tour of the Zonal Hospital, Idah, in company of the State Coordinator, Persons Affected with Albinism in Kogi State, Miss Victoria Ocheni. Also in the visiting team was the leadership of Persons with Disabilities, Idah Local Government Area. The inspection included assessment of level of work done at the Inclusive Eye Clinic built by Sightsavers, in partnership with the Kogi State Government to allow for easy access of Persons with Disabilities of all clusters.According to Arome, “This is an opportunity for Persons with Disabilities across Kogi East to avoid eye problems.”He further noted that in another eye clinic, the least cataract surgery cost is 50 thousand naira and above. However, in all of the above mentioned Sightsavers-Kogi Government eye center, a cataract surgery can be done with as low as 12 thousand naira. Meanwhile, testing is free of charge.INN reports that a similar Inclusive Eye Clinic exists in Kabba/Bunu (Kogi West), with an outreach Centre at Okene (Kogi Central). Arome urged Persons with Disability and their non-disabled counterparts to call in at the Zonal Hospitals at Ankpa, Kabba/Bunu, Okene and Idah for eye tests. While lauding Sightsavers for its work of true inclusion and accessibility, he called on the Kogi State Government, Urban and Regional Planning Ministry, the Ministry of Works, etc, to ensure total compliance with the National Disability Act (2018) and the Kogi State Disability Act (2019) by making all health facilities and public buildings accessible for Persons with Disabilities. “We are humans before our Disabilities” Arome said.

Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs (KOSODA) has charged political leaders to emulate the precedential set by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State who recently gave automatic appointment to a Person with Disability in the State. The Governor gave the nod to house of Assembly aspirant, Emmanuel Adukwu, to contest the primaries unopposed on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. The move has earned Yahaya praises from various quarters – amongst these, People with Disabilities in Kogi State. An excited KOSODA chairman, Hon Arome Ibrahim repeatedly praises Governor Bello’s historic move. According to him, “We return all the praise to God Almighty for this great history in the Kogi State Disability Community and Nigeria. In his words: “Only God, through the people’s Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello of Kogi State can do this.“Congratulations to Hon. Emmanuel Adukwu for the victory at the primary elections. I know that God who started it through Governor Yayaha Bello (GYB) will perfect it at the general elections. Can anyone blame Persons with Disabilities for supporting GYB2PYB project? “I charge every political leaders in Nigeria to emulate Governor Yahaya Bello on what true inclusion means. God bless the party leaders and stakeholder of our great party (APC) from Ankpa Local Government.”

Persons With Disabilities (PWD), yesterday, stormed the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to appreciate to the party for gifting them nomination forms to contest elections on the party’s platform. They also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for giving them a voice through a commission and the disability law that makes it compulsory for five per cent of PWDs to be employed in any government agency. Gathered in their numbers at the entrance of the party, they also drummed support for Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s political ambition. According to them, Bello, having domesticated the disability law in Kogi, will make PWDs’ matter his priority, if he wins the presidency. The Chairman, Kogi State Disability Board, Ibrahim Arome, noted that the board was established by Bello. “We want to let everybody know that the inclusion we have been yearning for can only be found in the APC under the watch of Buhari, who made it possible for us to have a voice. “Also in Kogi, Governor Bello has domesticated the disability law, and today, though on a wheelchair, I live a free and fulfilled life like any other person,” he said.

LOKOJA – Ahead of the APC presidential primaries, persons with Disabilities (PWD) on Friday Stormed National headquarters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to drum support for the Party , president Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello for the forthcoming general elections. This is just as they commended them for the roles played for granting free nomination forms and creating employment for members. “For said Governor Bello to have domesticated the disability law in Kogi State, would do more for us he wins the Presidency. The chairman Kogi State disability board, Hon Ibrahim Daniel Arome, said the board he chairs was established by Kogi State Governor. “We want to let everybody know that the inclusion we have been yearning for can only be found in the party APC under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari who made it possible for us to have a voice. The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs Barr. Zacchaus Dare Martin said they came to the APC party headquarters to appreciate the leadership of the party for harkening to their agitation to make nomination forms for People Living With Disability, PWD free of charge. “We made a National protest asking for APC to declare forms free for PWDs and as a listening party they obliged us the request. “Today, that has in no small measure brought major PWDs who are highly educated and politically agile to showcase their leadership capacity across the states. “We want them to succeed. Nigeria will never go back to Egypt. Under His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman, APC will coast home to victory in all our elections. “He gave them appointments as special advisers, senior special advisers, board members and more importantly, he gave them assignments, not in area of disability. “There is a visually impaired person who is Special Adviser on Media. He does this to show that he believes in their capacity to showcase their potentials. “More importantly, His Excellency recently established Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs. It is the first of its kind, in the history of Kogi State no agency, no commission, no board has been in charge of PWDs for inclusiveness, but Bello has changed the narrative. “We are here today to thank him and appreciate him for all he has done and what he is yet to do for us. “We want to use this window to endorse him for President. We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to help us garner support for him” He said.

The Chairman, Kogi State Office For Disability Affairs, Hon Ibrahim Daniel Arome has been described as a strong advocate of a better life for people with disability. Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, Executive Secretary, KOSODA made the remarks in a statement to felicitate with the Chairman on the auspicious occasion of his birthday, said the board Chairman can be described as a solid support for PWDs in the State, reason why the agency disability community has a voice. The Executive Secretary KOSODA on behalf of the PWDs in the State therefore joined all other well meaning individuals and organizations to rejoice with the Chairman, prayed God to grant him the enablement to take the PWDs community to a greater heights. The Executive Secretary wished him a prosperous happy birthday, filled with good health and prosperity.

The Managing Director/CEO Abdul Salad Rabiu Initiative (ASR Africa), Mr Ubon Udoh,MD/CEO, has praised Gov. Yahaya Bello for his purposeful leadership and support he is given to the Persons with Disability in the State. The Managing Director CEO made the disclosure when he received in audience the Executive Secretary and Chairman, Kogi State office For Disability who where in his office with some persons with Disability from the State on a courtesy visit at their Head office at BUA Estate Kado, Abuja. The Managing Director assured that the State would be captured in the 100million dollar intervention fund of the initiative in 2023. The Managing Director described the visit by the KOSODA Team as first of its kind, said it has opened up new opportunities for people with disabilities in Nigeria. Aside the fund support, the Managing Director CEO assured of Technical Support to KOSODA and other opportunities that would help them move the Agency to another level that would be beneficial to the lives of members. The Managing Director CEO expressed optimism that the new partnership between KOSODA and ASR-Africa would help the Agency access funds to help improve the lives of PWDs in the State, urged them to come up with purposeful proposal on areas they want ASR-Africa to support KOSODA. The Managing Director assured of support that would Help enrich the seed sowed by Gov. Yahaya Bello in making KOSODA a model in the country. In a remarks at the visit, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, appreciated ASR-Africa for there intervention in the area of inclusive health, education and support to people with Disabilities. The Executive Secretary pointed out that ASR-Africa has remained the biggest funder and donor to vulnerable groups in Nigeria, says KOSODA looks forward to a rewarding partnership. As part of the visit, the KOSODA Team presented an award of excellence on humanitarian services to ASR-Africa, urged them to continue to do more for the society.

Stakeholders on Wednesday called for eye screening of children before school enrollment to reduce the risk of visual impairment and blindness. They made the call during the close-out ceremony of the Kogi State Inclusive Eye Health (IEH) Programme, organised by Sightsavers Nigeria, in Abuja. Mr Jake Ekpele, President of the Albino Foundation, said introducing a policy by the government to ensure children were screened before school enrollment would reduce the number of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).“We need a policy that will make it mandatory for all children in the country to be tested and screened before they are enrolled in school. “If some of these illnesses are treated early, it will reduce the risk of total blindness,” he said.Similarly, Mr Stanley Onyebuchi, Chairman Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, said several visual impairments could be easily rectified if they were noticed early and treated. Onyebuchi, therefore, called on the government and other stakeholders to extend some of its laudable projects to every part of the country to ensure inclusiveness in the healthcare system for PWDs.On his part, Mr James Lalu, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, stressed the need for accessible quality healthcare system in the country.Lalu, represented by Mr Adewale Olajuji, said accessible inclusive healthcare would reduce the number of PWDs and blindness. Dr Sunday Isiaku, Country Director Sightsavers Nigeria, said the two-year IEH programme in Kogi was part of its Disability Inclusive Development (DID), funded by the UKAid.Ishaku added that the just concluded project aimed at improving the livelihood and well-being of PWDs and provide blueprint that could be replicated in every state to scale up the health sector. (NAN)

… Seeks for extension of Organization’s activities People With Disabilities in Kogi State have registered there deepest appreciation for the dogged commitment of Sight Savers International to the promotion of inclusive health care delivery in the State. The Executive Secretary, Kogi State office for Disability Affairs, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, gave the commendation at the closing out ceremony of Sight Savers International in Nigeria held today in Abuja, appealed to other international organization and donor agencies to emulate Sight Savers International by making intervention in the State. According to the Executive Secretary, Sight Savers International has without mincing words, while in Nigeria, using Kogi State as a pilot to test run her all inclusive health agenda performed outstandingly well. KOSODA Executive Secretary appreciated Sight Savers for the inclusive eye program and medical training program for health workers while in the state. The Executive Secretary particularly praised Sight Savers International for building an all inclusive eye care hospital in Kabba, Okene, Idah and Ankpa. The Executive Secretary lauded Sight Savers for equally training more than 500 health workers in the State under it health inclusive health care policy. Barr. Dare also expressed gratitude about the efforts of Sight Savers International to subsidize treatment for all major medical conditions facing People with disabilities in the State through Sight Savers health inclusive health care centres. While pointing out that surgery for cataract operation that ought to have cost over N80,000 in other health facilities is charged as low as N12000 in Sight Savers International inclusive health care centres, described the feat as unprecedented. The Executive Secretary commended Sight Savers International for equipping hospitals with hospital equipment worth about N250m in the State, said the constant training of the State Steering Committee Members would remain remarkable to the people of the State. While noting that KOSODA remains grateful that the constant advocacy by Sight Savers International greatly assisted with the establishment of the office for the Disability Affairs in the State, explained that constant advocacy using the media, visit and appeal to the State Governor by Sight Savers led to the establishment of KOSODA. The Executive Secretary of KOSODA used the auspicious occasion of the closeout ceremony to ask that inspite the winding down of the activities of Sight Savers International, requested for an extension of the program and more robust inclusive health care programs approved for the State. Barr. Dare assured that with health being a thematic area of Gov. Bello, efforts would be made to sustain the gains achieved through Sight Savers, said efforts would be made to protect the infrastructure and to continue with the inclusive health care Policies. While promising to run campaigns and advert to raise awareness for citizens to place emphasis on taking care of their eyes, said efforts to make eye check and test a criteria for admission into schools compulsory so as to detect early eye challenges and forestall blindness would be pursued vigorously. The Executive Secretary on behalf of the People With Disability in the State used the closeout ceremony to present an award of Excellence to Sight Savers International as the Most Distinguished Humanitarian Organization in Nigeria. The award was presented to the Country Director, in appreciation of the immense impact made by Sight Savers International in the State. The Kogi State Commissioner For Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Buba, and the Chairman, KOSODA were also attended the Closeout ceremony.