Neglect of PWDs fuelling beggars in North – Ganduje

Former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has voiced a stark assessment of the social landscape in Northern Nigeria, directly attributing the proliferation of street beggars to the "long-standing neglect" of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Speaking at the 10th-anniversary documentary premiere of 'Let's Talk Humanity,' an organization dedicated to improving educational access for the deaf and blind, Ganduje painted a grim picture of PWDs being "relegated to the background" in the North.

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In the north, persons with disabilities are people relegated to the background. Seeing is believing, no doubt. That is why we have an array of beggars across the northern parts of this country day and night. Some sleep under bridges and a few by the roadside. This is a sorry sight.

Ganduje's remarks, delivered in Abuja, underscored the visible consequence of this marginalization: "an array of beggars across the northern parts of this country day and night." He lamented the "sorry sight" of individuals sleeping under bridges and by roadsides, framing it as a direct result of systemic exclusion that affects not only their physical well-being but also their "psyche and motivation."

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But looking at what we have here this afternoon, you can see that there is a silent revolution ongoing. If what we are seeing could be adopted by our relevant governors and authorities, there is no doubt there will be a big positive change in our society.

However, the former governor also expressed optimism, citing the work of 'Let's Talk Humanity' as a model for change. He believes that if such initiatives are adopted by state governments and relevant authorities, a "big positive change" is achievable. Ganduje called for intensified support from government institutions and development partners, stressing that proper empowerment can transform PWDs from dependent individuals into self-reliant citizens capable of becoming employers themselves. He specifically commended Fatima Ganduje Abiola-Ajumobi, the organization's founder, for her consistent humanitarian efforts.

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Yes, they are relegated because they are physically challenged. This has affected their psyche and motivation. They cannot even think of themselves as human beings like others. However, by unveiling these kinds of programmes, we are teaching them to be like any normal human being in our society.