Group seeks succour for the disabled

From: Daily Times of Nigeria, Nigeria - Jan 1, 2004

THE Organisation of Deaf Business Men and Women of Nigeria on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to formulate policies in the new year that would bring succour to the disabled in the country.

The group, in its new year felicitation to President Olusegun Obasanjo, the state governors and members of the National and State Assemblies as well as political, traditional and religious leaders lamented that its members have been virtually forgotten by political leaders in the country.

It regretted that despite numerous letters sent to the President and the governors, nothing has been done to alleviate the sufferings being experienced by its members nationwide.

"We even learnt that the National Assembly has passed a bill on people with disabilities but our organisation is yet to see a copy or draft of such a bill which will affect us. We learnt that the President is yet to sign the bill into law, but we don't even know what is in the bill," the group said.

It asked the government to make the year 2004 dynamic and purposeful for the development and welfare of the deaf, adding that the group would want to be involved in all the affairs that affect the deaf as well as be consulted on the national and state budgets.

"Our members need to be employed, assisted to engage in small-scale business ventures, given opportunities to be advisers to our leaders on matters that affect us," the group pleaded, adding that the deaf were suffering silently in the country.

Wishing the President and other leaders a happy New Year, the group prayed that God Almighty would bless, guide and direct them in the New Year.

© Copyright 2003 The Daily Times of Nigeria PLC