2027 Elections: 30-Year Old Dwarf Picks APC House Of Representatives Form

As Lagosians living with disabilities continue to push for an inclusive electoral system where everyone, irrespective of their disability status, can fully participate, comes this cheering news of a popular dwarf politician from Zaria picking the nomination form for the House of Reps in the 2027 general elections. a popular 20-year old, Zaria-based politician with dwarfism, Sadis Buba, formally obtained his nomination and Expression of Interest forms to contest for the House of Representatives in the 2027 elections under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He announced his intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat of Sabon Gari federal constituency of Kaduna State in 2027.

Buba made the declaration in a post shared on his verified Facebook page on Monday, where he revealed that he had obtained his nomination and Expression of Interest forms ahead of the forthcoming elections.

“Today, I humbly announce that I have obtained my nomination form to contest for the House of Representatives, Sabon Gari Federal Constituency,” he wrote.

Reflecting on his personal journey, Buba highlighted his rise from modest beginnings as a driver, noting that his experience has reinforced his belief in equal opportunity.

“From my beginnings as a driver to this moment, my journey has been built on hard work, resilience, and the belief that every individual, no matter their background, can rise to serve,” he stated.

The aspirant pledged to prioritise transparent and people-oriented representation if elected, emphasising his commitment to addressing the needs of constituents.

“I am stepping forward with a clear vision: to represent the people of Sabon Gari with honesty, dedication, and true leadership. Your voice will be heard, your concerns will matter, and together we will work towards real development and opportunities for all,” Buba said.

He further framed his ambition as a collective movement rather than a personal pursuit.

“This campaign is not just about me, it is about us, our future, and the progress of our constituency,” he added.

Buba also called on residents of the constituency to support his candidacy as the political process unfolds.

“I ask for your support, your prayers, and your trust as we begin this journey together. Sabon Gari, let’s rise as one,” he concluded.

  

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Newly Delivered Mother Accuses Ikotun Hospital Of Stealing One Of Her Twin Babies

The Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday said it had commenced an investigation into the alleged disappearance of a newborn at a private hospital in the Ikotun area of the state.

The command, reacting to a viral video of a woman accusing medical staff of withholding one of her twins after delivery, said the matter was being handled with relevant stakeholders.

A statement by its spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, and obtained by PUNCH Metro  read, “The Command is aware of the trending video and wishes to inform the public that the matter is currently under investigation.

“Relevant professional bodies and associations have been contacted and are working in synergy with the Police to get to the root of the situation.”

It added that the Area Commander, Area M, was personally overseeing the case, assuring that findings would be made public.

“The outcome of the investigation will be made public in due course. Members of the public are hereby urged to remain calm, as the situation is under control,” the statement added.

The incident sparked tension after a viral video showed a woman, identified as Blessing Isioma David, accusing staff of Tip-Top Solution Hospital of withholding her second baby after delivery.

In the footage shared by AsakyGRN on X, the woman—seen holding a newborn—was filmed shouting at a supposed doctor of the facility identified as Tip-Top Solution hospital while demanding the whereabouts of her second baby.

“Produce my second baby. This is not good enough. I did not come to this hospital to be robbed of my baby,” she was heard screaming in the video.

In the background, individuals who accompanied her were also heard demanding the arrest of hospital staff over allegations of baby trafficking.

The video also displayed an obstetric scan report said to belong to the patient, identified as Blessing Isioma David, 28, dated March 2026, which indicated a twin pregnancy with two foetuses observed.

The report stated, “Twin visible. Twin 1 is an oblique cephalic while Twin 2 is a transverse presentation. Normal cardiac pulsations noted,” adding that “Gender for Twin 1 is XY, while Gender for Twin 2 is XX.”

Reacting to the allegation, the hospital’s medical director, Sunday Babajide, dismissed claims of wrongdoing, insisting that only one baby was delivered and that the scan result was inaccurate.

“The scan was wrong, and she did not do another scan in another centre. It was an error; the scan said two instead of one.

“We invited the husband to the theatre… the husband witnessed that it was one. The woman herself was not asleep; she was awake,” Babajide was quoted as saying to the Peoples Gazette.

The hospital director added that the family was also informed immediately after birth.

Corroborating his claim on the scan, Babajide asserted, “If the scan was done at the early stage… it will clearly show it. But if the scan was done at a later period, an error can occur,” he said, noting that the scan was done at about 20 weeks.

“The mistake we made was that we should have insisted on her doing another scan elsewhere to be doubly sure,” he added.

  

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Outrage As Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere Offers Financial Inducement For Any Man Willing To Marry His Disabled Daughter

    

Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, the founder of Omega Power Ministry, has sparked outrage with his announcement of financial inducement for any man willing to marry his    21-year-old autistic adopted daughter, with disability advocates raising concerns about consent, dignity, and the ethics of arranging marriages for people with disabilities .

One of those who have lent their voices to the development is actor Damola Olatunji who criticised the man of God, saying the situation “has crossed a line and must be addressed seriously”.

In a statement, Olatunji questioned whether the woman could genuinely consent to such an arranged marriage, arguing that Apostle Chibuzor should instead establish a proper care home for her.

Apostle Chibuzor had announced the plan on Facebook, offering incentives to any man willing to marry his daughter, including financial support and housing.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Chinyere, who described the arrangement as being in the young woman’s best interests.

“I am giving out another of my adopted daughters in marriage. Her name is Chiemeka Chibuzor. She is 21 years old and has autism. She can speak and hear well,” the statement read.

Chinyere listed conditions for prospective suitors, stating that the man must be young and “physically and mentally fit in all forms.”

In exchange, he outlined a suite of benefits including lifetime financial support, free housing for life, a jointly built property in both spouses’ names, and regular unannounced visits by OPM staff to monitor the woman’s welfare.

“This arrangement is to ensure that she is properly cared for, protected, and lives a happy life,” the statement added.

But advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities say the apostle’s action would amount to buying a husband for the woman simply because she is a PWD. They argue that persons with disabilities deserve to choose their own partners, not forced to marry a man who, from all indications, would be attracted by the incentives being offered and not necessarily because of his love for her.

Actor Olatunji countered the plan, stating that people with autism deserve dignity, protection, and better support systems, adding that exploiting vulnerable individuals is unacceptable.

He wrote, “This situation has crossed a line and must be addressed seriously. Marriage is a decision that requires full, informed consent from both parties. Rather than pursuing marriage, establishing a proper care home would be a far more appropriate and compassionate solution.

“The key question to ask is: would this person genuinely choose to get married at 21 under normal circumstances, free from any external influence? If the answer is no, then that must be respected unconditionally.

“No one should exploit a vulnerable person’s condition as an opportunity for marriage. People living with autism deserve dignity, protection, and better-structured support systems, not situations that could potentially be manipulative or harmful. There are far more ethical and effective ways to provide care and support for individuals with autism”, he said.

 The announcement follows a similar and widely publicised arrangement by the cleric in which he organised the marriage of a non-verbal autistic man, widely known as Aboy, to an older woman in a ceremony held on March 29.

That wedding drew mixed reactions, with critics raising concerns about the dignity of people with cognitive disabilities.

Chinyere had subsequently responded to the backlash by gifting Aboy, now renamed Elijah, a Lexus car and a plot of land, and appointing him as an ambassador for the church’s free school for children with autism and Down syndrome.

  

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Irede Foundation Expands Scope Of Operation To Include More Disability Clusters

The Irede Foundation has expanded its disability inclusion outreach in Lagos, reaching more than 1,000 residents through an annual programme that combines

awareness advocacy, fundraising and direct support for people living with disabilities.

The initiative, held in Lagos, brought together volunteers, supporters and beneficiaries who contributed personal resources to support empowerment efforts

for persons with disabilities. The programme also featured a 32-kilometre awareness walk aimed at drawing attention to mobility challenges, social exclusion

and access gaps affecting the disability community.

The outreach forms part of the foundation’s broader push to improve access to prosthetic limbs and promote inclusion across education, mobility and economic

participation.

Speaking at the event, the foundation’s Founder and Chief Executive of the foundation, Crystal Chigbu, said the organisation’s work now extends beyond

Nigeria, with operations across all 36 states and growing international footprints in countries including Ghana, Germany, Canada and Namibia.

She said the initiative, themed “No Limits, Just Motion”, was focused on promoting access to transportation, education and information for people living

with disabilities, while encouraging them to demonstrate their abilities. As part of this year’s programme, more than 200 children are expected to receive

prosthetic limbs.

Chigbu added that the foundation is increasingly deploying 3D-printed prosthetic limbs, following successful pilot runs over the past six months. The technology

is expected to account for more than half of the limbs distributed this year, a move she said would accelerate delivery and expand access for both children

and adults.

Beyond amputees, she noted that the foundation’s interventions now cover a broader spectrum of disability groups, including people with albinism, the deaf,

the visually impaired and others requiring mobility and social support.

Government officials present at the event reiterated Lagos State’s commitment to inclusive development. Commissioner for Youth and Social Development,

Mobolaji Ogunlende, described the outreach as a critical platform for advocacy and collaboration, aligning with the state government’s pledge to ensure

that no resident is left behind.

He said the state, through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, continues to coordinate programmes targeted at people living with disabilities

while calling for stronger partnerships with private organisations and civil society groups.

According to him, while government support remains essential, collaboration is key to scaling impact, noting that assistance could range from financial

backing to policy support and access to infrastructure that enables organisations to expand their reach.

Also speaking, a member of the foundation’s board of trustees, Folake Okunubi, said the outreach was designed not only to raise funds but also to challenge

societal perceptions about disability.

She stressed the need for inclusive infrastructure, education and social systems, noting that many children with limb loss face stigma and barriers to

schooling, often resulting in isolation. Creating an enabling environment, she said, would allow beneficiaries described by the foundation as “champions”

to fully participate in society and access economic opportunities.

One of the beneficiaries, Michael Alan, a 14-year-old participant in the walk, said the programme had helped raise awareness and demonstrate that people

living with disabilities can perform at the same level as others.

He said the initiative had not only provided support but also challenged perceptions, adding that increased awareness and sustained empowerment programmes

would enable more children with disabilities to live independently and contribute meaningfully to society.

  

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How Churches Can Achieve Inclusion Of Persons With Disabilities In Their Activities - Pastor Arowosegbe

He is blind but he is a pastor; and not just any pastor but the senior pastor of a zonal headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), under Lagos Province 69. The story of Pastor Adegoke Lawrence Arowosegbe, the shepherd in charge of RCCG Light of God Zona Headquarters, is proof to the Bible’s assertion that, while men look at the outer appearance, God looks inwards. It’s also a testament to the fact that God can use anyone to expand his kingdom, irrespective of their situation or condition.

In this interview with Lagos Today Extra!, Pastor Arowosegbe speaks on issues bothering the church and persons with disabilities and other related issues. It’s a must read for all Christians and all persons with disabilities as both parties have one or two lessons to learn.

 

How does it feel being the visually impaired senior pastor of an RCCG zonal headquarters church?

How does it feel? Well, it has its own challenges. The society where we dwell has very little or no regards for persons with disabilities, especially those with visual impairment. So, there has been one or two challenges. However, since it is the work of God, God has always proven himself and we are able to handle most of the situations that come our way, at least as far as church is concerned.

How do the members of your church respond to you, especially during healing ministrations? Do they say “Pastor heal yourself first before you think of healing us”?

We have taught the people, through the Word of God, that it's God who does the healing, not the man of God. And he does it in whichever way and manner he wants. Because one is visually impaired does not mean that God cannot propagate his kingdom through that person. Our God can do anything through anybody. He does his things the way he wants it and when he wants it. For instance, in the book of Daniel chapter 1, verse 21, the Bible tells us that God controls times and seasons. And so, if we have that understanding, that he controls times and seasons, we can also understand that he does things whenever  and in whatever way he likes. That the pastor is visually impaired is not a factor here because  the people can see the work of God manifesting in him. In view of this, they cannot deny the power of God operating through him despite the visual impairment.

At what point in your life did you give your life to Christ, was it before or after the impairment?

The truth of the matter is that I started having visual challenges right from childhood. The visual impairment did not come up in the course of church appointment. I did all my education as a blind student in the blind school. So, at what point did I give my life to God? I gave my life to Christ in 1998; to be specific, the last Sunday of January 1998. Prior to that time, I was just like the regular boy in the neighbourhood: going to different parties, carrying girls and all the rest of it. But at the point when we needed to surrender to God, we surrendered. Old things passed away and all things became new in the new life in Christ.

Looking at inclusivity in the church, especially in the Nigerian setting, do you think we are there yet or more still needs to be done?

More still needs to be done. We are Far from there, far from being there. Very, very far. I'm not too sure at what level we are in this country in terms of inclusion of persons with disabilities in church activities. If I say that we have not even started, it would be like one is not optimistic even though that is the present reality as far as Nigerian churches are concerned. So I will say that we have started but we are not there yet. Maybe with time, we will gradually build it up. For example, many churches, whether Redeemed or other denominations, don't have facilities that can really, really accommodate persons with disabilities. They don't have them. If we look at accessibility as a case study, you will agree with me that we are not there yet. But we do hope that with some of us now getting involved and doing advocacy, Maybe the church will get to know and do the needful to achieve inclusion of persons with disabilities in its activities.

Can you be more specific about these accessibility facilities? We know about ramps. Are there other facilities that the church needs to put in place to achieve this inclusivity for PWDs?

The facilities are different in nature. You talk about ramps, right? Ramps are essential modifications that provide significant benefits to wheelchair users by improving accessibility, safety, and independence. But even if you look at the staircase, where PWDs that are not on wheelchairs walk on, a lot of those steps cause more harm than good to persons with visual impairment. I was supposed to minister on a particular Order of Reading in a particular church. But to climb to the altar was a big challenge. The staircases in most churches are in zigzag form and as a blind person, you are sometimes confused whether to go to the left or to the right. It might be accommodating to persons with sight; but for the visually impaired, that's a big challenge. So, to access the church environment itself, A lot of work needs to be done, a lot of advocacy needs to be made.

In the area of Bible literature, do you also look in the direction of brailing Bibles, Sunday school manuals and other literatures so that blind persons can actively participate in church activities?

Fortunately for us, if I take the Bible as a case study, I have a Bible here which is braille. And to a very good extent, it was not supplied by the church. I have the complete Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, on braille and I ordered all of them from abroad. But in fairness to the Nigerian Bible Society, they have great Bibles there. And I think to a very good extent, they give them out free to those who approach them. And churches should find a way of partnering with them. For other literatures, churches are gradually coming up. I remember what happened with the Redeemed Sunday School manual. I wrote to the church to let them know that We have some visually impaired people in the church and these people need to read the Sunday School manual just like other members of the church. And they have taken that as a responsibility. So, as a case study that I know, the RCCG  produces Sunday school manual in Braille for the benefit of visually impaired people amongst us. and I think other denominations should follow suit.

What advice would you give to some men of God who keep their distance from persons with disabilities?

If I refer back to my message on love preached somewhere last month, we say love accommodates. If we are using love as a parameter in church, then pastors have no reason to distance themselves from people with disabilities. We must understand that even in disability, there is ability. If we have that understanding, we should give everybody a platform, just to test drive. I did not become a pastor overnight. Something happened. Far back in Ebute Meta, between 2004 and 2005, the church I was attending, the pastor saw me and spotted me out. Before then, I was the one writing for the "Excellent Men", a group in the church. I was their secretary. And I was always the one writing the minutes of our meetings. I was also the one writing the Pastor's Desk, a column on the church bulletin. I was carrying out these two assignments simultaneously. And one day, the pastor said, "Arowosegbe,  please prepare to minister for 20 minutes next week Sunday". That was the first time I was being given a platform to minister the Word of God to the congregation. So, pastors have no reason not to allow persons with disabilities to work in the church.

That’s one part of the conversation. Another part of it is that persons with disabilities must also be able to prove themselves. Recall that I said I was writing the church bulletin at the Pastor's Desk, the pastor's corner on the church bulletin. That was what the pastor was supposed to do but I was the one doing it. And I was also the secretary to the Men's group then. So, people with disabilities must be able to convince our society that they can really do what people think they cannot do on account of their disabilities status. Without this, the society, both inside and outside of the church environment, will see you as not able to do those things. You should be able to prove to them by doing those things, and not just doing, you should be able to go the extra mile. That’s what I always do and it has been working for me.

You are married to a sighted wife. How did that happened? How did she fall in love with you despite your visual impairment?

I was working in an oil company and she, at that time, was working with Ikeja Hotels. Ikeja Hotels happened to be the caterer supplying our lunch in the office. And so she, being one of their staff, I got to meet her on one occasion because she was the one that attended to me at the restaurant. But beyond the food menu, beyond the food level, when I was losing my sight rapidly,  connecting with the staff bus was becoming a challenge. So she offered to be helping me to navigate to the staff bus. This was also made possible because she, too, wanted to join the staff bus to enjoy the facility of transportation. She would come and pick me from my office and we would walk together to the staff bus. So, it all started with the staff bus, not even with the restaurant. From there, we started talking. She saw me as a big brother at the beginning. I must say that she had somebody she was dating then and she would come to me for advice about one or two things. And I always gave her my candid, unbiased advice. Yes, unbiased because the idea, at first,  was not to go into a relationship with her; but along the line, we began to develop interest in each other. And something happened that For whatever reason, she fell out of the relationship with the brother. So I saw that as an opportunity to win her heart. That's how we got to meet and we started courting and it worked out to be a marriage at the end.

Some blind persons married to sighted spouses have tales of woes about their in-laws in terms of verbal and psychological abuse. What has been the relationship between you and your in-laws, is it cordial?

Fortunately for me, that seemed to be working out well, to the glory of God. Her mother knew me very well even before I met her. Her mother also worked where I was working. She’s late now. But we both worked in the office. I didn't know her then but she said she knew me. As a matter of fact, she was always the one telling everyone about "Ah, one boy in our office. He's a special fellow. He's a genius." And because of that, maybe because the mother knew me very well and had decided to market me to her family, I became very safe with the entire family. When she was alive, she was closer to me than to her daughter. We were so close that She could confide in me rather than with her daughter. But of course, I am aware of the situations in-laws of persons with disabilities treat them horribly and that should be discouraged. But I think it all depends on how you carry yourself as a PWD. If you present yourself as a loving, caring spouse who is able to meet with the demands of a matrimonial home, whether as the husband or the wife, there is every possibility that your in-laws will treat you well. We must be able to convince them beyond the ordinary. I had an experience when I was doing my Mass Communications program at Laspotech, which has now become a university. A lady, who was being proposed to by a visually impaired man, told me that if I was the one proposing, she would accept the proposal but that she could not accept it from this other fellow because he fell short of her expectation. The point I'm making is that we must be able to prove to the society that we are able. We must bring ourselves out of This beggarly attitude which has made the society to believe that the blind person can do nothing but to beg.

  

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World Autisim Day: 16-Year Old Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke Completes Historic Cross-Country Cycling Ride In Lagos

A 16-year-old autistic cyclist, Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo-Okeke, has completed a historic endurance ride from Enugu to Lagos, arriving to a rousing reception from the Lagos State government and hundreds of supporters ahead of World Autism Day.

Kanyeyachukwu was warmly received by advocates of the campaign and the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, who represented the Governor at the event.

The campaign, themed “Impossibility is a Myth,” seeks to challenge misconceptions about autism and demonstrate that children living with the condition are capable of achieving great things when given the right support and opportunities.

The youngster embarked on the journey on March 17, travelling across several states before concluding the campaign on April 2, in commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day.

The ride was aimed at promoting inclusion and highlighting the urgent need for stronger support systems for children with autism across Nigeria.

Ogunlende described the visit as “both inspiring and symbolic,” praising Kanyeyachukwu’s courage and determination.

The commissioner commended his parents for their dedication and belief in Kanyeyachukwu’s abilities, expressing optimism about future milestones, including a possible return to the Guinness World Records.

His father Tagbo Okeke expressed gratitude to the Lagos state government for the warm reception, describing it as compassionate and committed to vulnerable groups.

The team will be formerly received by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the state House today.

  

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Inclusivity In Church: RCCG King's Court Setting The Pace For Others

In a Nigerian Christianity environment, where most churches either distance themselves from PWDs (persons with disabilities) or use them as guinea pigs in 'miracle sessions' experiment, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) The King’s Court, located in Victoria Island, is redefining the landscape by putting together ministerial church programmes that are aimed at bringing inclusivity to the Christianity community by integrating persons with disabilities into the church’s congregational activities. One of such programmes was the Diversity Sunday Outreach that held on March 22, 2026 inside the church auditorium. The event brought together PWDs from several clusters in a ministerial service that highlighted the importance of inclusivity within the Christian fold.

According to Adeola Obagun, the convener of the event, Diversity Sunday Outreach is a programme that is intended to create a conducive environment for everyone, whether able bodied or persons with disabilities, to come to church and worship together in an atmosphere of love and oneness. In a chat with Lagos Today Extra!, she revealed that the initiative was a vision of a former pastor of the church, Pastor Ben Akabueze but the church has keyed into it and so, it is a programmed that has come to stay.

“It was a vision from our former pastor, Pastor Ben Akabueze, who had this vision that he actually brought to life and made it possible for the very first one to hold. We've not had this event in the last two years but now, the event looks like it's here to stay. We want to make sure that, through this event, persons with disabilities are provided with all that they need to comfortably come to church and worship. And in our church, we have some persons with disabilities who are regular members of the church,” she stated.

The King’s Court Church of RCCG is not just preaching inclusivity in Christianity, it is actually practicing what it preaches. The church has provided a ram so that those on wheelchair can easily go into the church auditorium to worship. It has also employed a sign language interpreter so that those with hearing impairment can be carried along during church activities.

“We have people who are hearing impaired among our members. And because of their hearing impairment, the church hires a sign language interpreter who interprets so that they are able to flow along with everyone else and know what's going on during service,” Adeola said. She added that even though the initiative is a vision from The King’s Court, she believes it is something other churches, including those of other denominations, should key in to make the Christian community more inclusive in line with God’s command to love everyone, no matter their situations or conditions.

In her words, “It's an initiative of The King's Court which we are hoping not just RCCG but all churches and institutions can imbibe as well. So, we want to use this as a platform to encourage other institutions to follow along because disability can happen to anyone. I know quite a lot of blind people and none of them was born blind. There is no guarantee that someone who is seeing today would not become blind tomorrow. So, what we're preaching is that people should be empathetic to persons with disabilities. Empathy means putting yourself in their shoes, right? If your doctor told you that you had only two more weeks before you lose your sight, How would you want the world to receive you? How would you want the world to treat you? How would you want to fit in? Would you like life to continue just as it was before you lost your sight? Of course, the answer is yes. So, we are saying that it's not just us, but everyone should make accommodations for persons with disabilities both inside and outside of the church environments. It is not their fault that they are that way. We must try our best to make sure that anything that they need to make life easy, is provided for them.”

On the issue of some ministers of God saying that the reason people with disabilities have not been healed by God is because they do not have faith when they pray, Adeola said that was an outright lie. “That is a total lie. As we read in Matthew 25, verse 40, whatever you do for the least person is how you are treating Jesus. That's what Jesus said directly. Now, what is Jesus saying in that verse? It is a blessing to help others who are in need because whatever you do for them, you have done for him.

“There are some people who have two hands, two legs, two eyes, right? Everything is working. Jesus wants those people to help those who cannot see or walk or hear. It is an offense if you see a blind person walking into a gutter and you don't tell that person there’s a gutter there. And in our society, this is what it looks like. People would see a blind person on the road, a danfo driver would see a blind person on the road, attempting to cross the road and instead of stopping for the blind man to cross, the driver would shout on him to move out of the way while he drives past. empathy is putting yourself in other people's shoes.”

Adeola Obagun also stressed that disability is not actually the problem but the barriers which society has put in the way of persons with disabilities. She said, “Disability is not the problem. The problem is the barriers and there are all sorts of barriers. The first barrier in a country like Nigeria is the stigmatization. For instance,  there are actors, popular people who have recently gone blind. But Ever since they went blind, they've just hidden themselves from the society obviously because of the stigma society has imposed on blindness. And we're saying, no, you should not be stigmatized; you should not be discriminated against if you go blind or if you lose the function of any part of your body. It is not something to be ashamed of. People should not be written off simply because they have disability; it’s rather the beginning of a new world for that person. And if they adapt to the new world, their other senses will be so sharpened and effective that they would make up for the part of the body that is not working. And some of these people can be very intelligent. I was once featured on a radio show and someone who just heard my voice once, recognized me two years later when we met. Someone like that can be a perfect listener. If you had a customer service center and employed such a person, he would deliver the job very well because he is a good listener. So, the loss of one of your sensory organs does not mean that you are completely useless. Rather, all your other organs will get sharper and you will see that you are actually able to cope with life.”

Adeola admonished everyone and every institution, including churches, to make themselves familiar with the disability law, noting that  The law is very exhaustive and covers almost all areas of life as they affect persons with disabilities. She highlighted the issue of discrimination, saying  that the law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities.

“If people are discriminated against, it is such an easy case to take to court and win because the law is very clear that if people are discriminated against, there are penalties to pay. If the violator is a corporate entity, there's a one million naira fine attached to it. If it is an individual,  there's a one hundred thousand naira fine or a six-month jail term. And that's why we need you, the journalists, to help push the awareness. This law actually exists but how many people know about it? We need you to remind people that there's a law that prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities,” she said.

Diversity Church Outreach showcased lively and soul-lifting presentations from Bethesda Home and School for the Blind , Wesley School for the Hearing Impaired , among others. There was also a panel discussion made up of persons with disabilities as well as relatives of persons with disabilities. The discussion focused on issues bothering PWDS at the home front, in the workplace, and social health work environments.

A major highlight of the event was a sermon presented by Pastor Lawrence Adegoke  Arowosegbe, a visually impaired RCCG pastor, who delivered a message titled ‘The Effect Of Love’. Drawing from the teaching of Jesus Christ on The Good Samaritan, Pastor Arowosegbe admonished all to imbibe Godly love because love overcomes all challenges, stressing that even if one manifests all the spiritual gifts, and it is not backed up with love, it does not profit anything.

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of assistive gift items to PWDs in attendance. 

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LASODA's Assistive Device Handover Is Publicity Without Inclusion CITAB

The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has condemned the recent distribution of assistive devices by the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), describing it as a familiar parade of cameras and handshakes that looks good in headlines but leaves the daily exclusion of persons with disabilities firmly in place.

 This was contained in a press release issued today in Lagos by Jolomi Fenemigho, Executive Chairman of CITAB.

 CITAB stated that while the publicized presentation of laptops, wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs to a small group of civil servants may be portrayed as support, it does not confront the real barriers facing the disability community, including systemic discrimination, inaccessible public infrastructure, and an escalating unemployment crisis.

 Fenemigho reminded LASODA that although it was created and is run by the Lagos State Government, its first obligation is the affairs, rights, and welfare of every registered person with disability in Lagos, and that this responsibility must be treated with seriousness and prioritized over publicity and every other competing interest.

 CITAB further raised alarm over what it called the mystery of the “invisible” recruits in the recent online recruitment exercise conducted by the Lagos State Local Government Council, noting that despite many visually impaired candidates participating in last year’s process, no blind applicant has been able to confirm an appointment.

 According to him: “The Local Government Council claims it has recruited members of our community, yet no visually impaired person has come forward to validate these assertions. These purported recruits appear to exist only in statements, not in verifiable appointments. We urge LASODA to demand and publish proof of these employments, because our community remains sidelined despite participating in the official process.”

 The CITAB leader criticized what he described as a recurring culture of symbolic interventions where government prefers ceremonial handovers to enforceable inclusion, warning that a laptop cannot open doors that policy keeps shut, and devices cannot deliver independence in a city designed to exclude.

 

Fenemigho said: “Equipping a few people who already have jobs is not inclusion, it is decoration. If government is serious, let it show us the jobs, show us the access, and show us the budget lines that make support usable beyond the photo session.”

 In conclusion, CITAB called on LASODA to immediately publish the list of PWDs recruited during the recent Local Government exercise and provide verifiable evidence of their appointments, to conduct and publish a transparent audit of PWD representation across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies with a clear compliance plan to meet the 5 percent employment quota under the Lagos State Special People’s Law, and to make a time bound, measurable commitment to retrofit public buildings, services, and transport systems for full accessibility. CITAB further demanded that independent disability led groups, including CITAB, be included in monitoring disability related employment, accessibility, and assistive technology programs, stressing that Nothing About Us Without Us must be enforced in Lagos as a standard, not performed as a slogan.

  

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NICRAT Activates Skin Cancer Screening Centres For Persons With Albinism

The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has intensified efforts to tackle the high burden of skin cancer among persons with albinism by activating targeted screening services in three Nigerian cities.

Through the integration of skin cancer checks and structured referral pathways into its National Preventive Oncology Clinical Services, the institute is seeking to improve early detection and access to care for a group it identifies as particularly vulnerable to the disease.

The Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, disclosed this at the launch of the institute’s “Shade the Sun” campaign at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta Cancer Centre in Lagos.

He described the initiative as an awareness and prevention drive specifically designed for Nigerians living with albinism, noting that their heightened sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation places them at increased risk of developing skin cancer.

According to him, the campaign is being implemented under the National Initiative for Cancer Early Detection, Screening and Coordinated Access to Networked Care, a framework aimed at strengthening prevention strategies, promoting timely diagnosis, improving treatment outcomes, and ultimately reducing cancer-related deaths nationwide.

As part of the intervention, beneficiaries received sun protection kits and were urged to use them consistently and correctly. The NICRAT boss emphasised that protective measures, when combined with routine screening and early care-seeking behaviour, could significantly reduce avoidable complications and save lives.

He also acknowledged the support of key partners, including the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, the Albinism Association of Nigeria, and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, as well as the management of the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, for their collaboration in driving the campaign.

The Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists and Consultant Dermatologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Ayesha Akinkugbe, said the partnership extends beyond screening to include capacity building for health workers.

She explained that NICRAT supplied protective materials such as sunscreen, long-sleeved T-shirts, wide-brimmed hats and UV-protective glasses, while designated centres in Lagos, Abuja and Kano were equipped with dermoscopes, magnifying lenses, cryoguns and liquid nitrogen to aid diagnosis and minor procedures.

“This programme is running in Lagos, Abuja and Kano,” she said, adding that stakeholders are advocating the creation of a national albinism register to generate reliable data for effective planning and resource allocation.

Also speaking, Consultant Physician and Dermatologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr Folakemi Cole-Adeife, stressed that early detection remains critical in preventing severe outcomes. She advised persons with albinism to undergo skin examinations at least every six months and to limit exposure to direct sunlight, particularly during peak hours.

“You cannot completely avoid the sun, but if you must go out, you should go prepared and protected,” she said.

Representing the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Kehinde Ososanya noted that primary healthcare workers across the state are being trained to identify suspicious skin lesions early and refer patients promptly for specialist care. He added that Lagos has 376 primary healthcare centres serving as first points of contact within communities, positioning them as critical entry points for early detection and referral under the programme.

  

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Blind Applicants In Lagos Cry Out Over Exclusion In Ongoing Local Government Service Commission Recruitment Exercise

Article By Dumbiri Frank Eboh 

Blind applicants in Lagos have cried out over their “systematic exclusion” from the current recruitment exercise going on at the state’s Local Government Civil Service Commission. This is contained in a press release from Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB), Lagos state chapter, the umbrella body of all blind and visually impaired persons in the state.

The press release, jointly signed by the secretary of the association, Daniel Isaiah, and Oluwakemi Odusayan, the Chairperson, Skill acquisition and Employment Committee, accused the commission of excluding blind applicants from the exercise. It also appealed to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently step in and save the situation before it degenerates.

According to the release, “Since October 2025, several applicants with visual impairment have participated fully in this recruitment exercise. These applicants successfully completed the online aptitude tests, met all eligibility requirements, and WERE scheduled for the initial screening stage —proving, beyond doubt, their competence, and capacity.”

NAB noted that despite all this, these blind applicants were turned back when they came for their scheduled physical screening.

“However, on the very day scheduled for their physical screening, these applicants were turned back, instructed to ‘go home’ and assured they would be contacted later. Months have passed. No calls. No emails. No explanations. Only silence,” the statement further read, adding that Repeated visits to the Civil Service Commission yielded no result as the permanent secretary was always said to be not on seat.

“This explanation has now become a painful refrain—one that deepens anxiety, erodes dignity, and communicates clearly that the lives and futures of blind applicants do not matter to the Local Government Civil Service Commission  despite the concerted efforts being put in place by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure an inclusive Lagos society where there is fair and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the state,” the press release continued.

NAB further averred that as far back as July 2025, a formal letter was written through the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), to the permanent Secretary, local government civil service commission, presenting the details of candidates with disabilities who underwent the test and seeking the attention of the permanent secretary on the matter. The letter was duly received and signed but no action was taken to redress the issue.

“Meanwhile, qualified blind applicants continue to roam the streets unemployed, burdened by uncertainty, economic hardship, and emotional trauma—not because they lack merit, but because they live with visual impairment,” the statement added. 

NAB said it was using the opportunity to appeal to Gov. Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the matter and prevail on the commission to retrace its steps from its current discriminatory disposition to blind applicants in the state, and adopt equity and fairness in the ongoing recruitment exercise, noting that failure to do this would be a big dent on the success recorded by the state in its quest for an inclusive Lagos society.

“The Nigeria Association of the Blind, Lagos State Chapter, therefore uses this medium to draw the attention of the Lagos state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to the ongoing exclusion of blind persons in the state by the local government Civil Service Commission. The governor should use his good office to prevail on the commission to review its current discriminatory disposition to blind applicants in the state  and give immediate employment to all qualified applicants with visual impairment who participated in the recruitment process.

“As earlier stated, we are aware of the efforts being put in place by the governor to ensure an inclusive Lagos society; however, the ongoing exclusion of blind persons by the civil service commission, if not urgently addressed and blind applicants in the state given their fair share in the employment process, would be a huge drawback on the success of those efforts,” the press release stated.

When Lagos Today Extra! contacted the Lagos State Local Government Civil Service Commission to get their own side of the issue, the commission denied the allegation made by NAB Lagos, insisting that persons with disabilities in the state, including blind applicants, have been employed in the current recruitment exercise.

“In lieu of the questions asked concerning the recruitment process involving applicants who are visually impaired,  Blind applicants are not being excluded; as a matter of fact a good number of physically challenged applicants, including the visually impaired, have been recruited and some are still in the process,” the commission stated.

However, when our correspondent requested for a list of those blind applicants that have been employed in the current recruitment exercise, the commission declined the request due to what it referred to as “data protection and confidentiality”.

“We cannot release the names of candidates because of data protection and confidentiality,” it said.

The commission also debunked the claim that the applicants were prevented from seeing the permanent secretary, saying “They were not prevented from seeing the Permanent Secretary; she had different assignments as at when they showed up but they were attended to by the Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Omolase Yejide, who gave them her  number for follow-up.”

However, a source close to the leadership of NAB Lagos, who pleaded anonymity, described the response from the commission as nothing short of falsehood.

“Why are they not forthcoming with the names of blind applicants they have so far employed in the current exercise if indeed they have employed any? What’s so confidential about the name of civil servants when you are not including their personal details? It shows you that they are lying. They are not employing blind persons and that’s the hard fact and bitter truth that they are not owning up to. Why were blind applicants turned back on the day of their physical screening? It shows that, right from the onset, they have decided not to give our people their own share of the employment quota in the current recruitment exercise” he said.

He also faulted the claim that the permanent secretary was too busy to see the blind applicants, saying that the visits were on several occasions and the permanent secretary could not have been busy each time these applicants visited.

“Is it every time the blind applicants visit that she becomes suddenly too busy to see anyone? I think there is something they are not telling us. And since it appears the permanent secretary cannot resolve the issue, the governor should urgently come in and save the situation before it gets out of hand.

The Lagos State Special Peoples Law, 2011, guarantees equal rights to employment for persons with disabilities and the Protection against systemic exclusion within state institutions.

These rights do not just exist to provide a fair and equitable balance between the PWDs and the larger society but also aim to ensure fairness across clusters in the disabilities community in such a way that no cluster should be left behind. 

 

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The Kidnap Of Muhammad Abdullahi A Student Of Katsina School For The Blind And Matters Arising

Although policies and laws exist to protect persons with disabilities in Nigeria, implementation remains weak. Disability-inclusive security planning is rarely considered, and emergency response systems do not adequately account for the unique needs of vulnerable groups, OSAS EGHAREVBA writes.

Nigeria today is battling a deep and persistent security crisis. From kidnapping and banditry to terrorism and violent crimes, insecurity has gradually become part of everyday life. Citizens now live in fear, uncertain of their safety whether at home, on the road, in schools, or even in places meant to provide protection and learning. This growing insecurity reflects years of weak security coordination, poor intelligence gathering, and inadequate protection of vulnerable populations.

The failure of security in Nigeria is no longer limited to isolated areas or particular groups. It cuts across states, institutions, and social classes. Schools, which should be safe environments for learning and personal development, have become targets of criminal activities. Students are abducted, teachers are attacked, and communities are left traumatized. This situation has damaged public confidence in the ability of the state to protect lives and property.

Against this troubling background, the recent kidnap of Muhammad Abdullahi, a blind student of the Katsina School for the Blind, is especially heartbreaking. That a child with visual impairment was abducted while simply trying to access education shows how deep the security failure has become. If a blind student is no longer safe on his way to school, it raises serious questions about who is truly protected in this country.

This incident exposes the harsh reality that insecurity affects people differently. While all Nigerians suffer from insecurity, persons with disabilities face greater risks. A blind student relies on routine, assistance, and familiar environments to move safely. When these fragile safety structures collapse, such individuals are left extremely vulnerable. Criminals exploit this weakness, knowing that victims may find it difficult to escape or seek help.

As a student of the University of Benin, I am deeply disturbed by this incident. Even within Nigerian universities, there is limited assistance and institutional support for students with disabilities. Many rely on personal effort, goodwill from fellow students, or informal arrangements to survive academic life. When insecurity spreads into educational spaces, these students are the first to suffer the consequences.

Beyond security failure, this situation reflects a broader neglect of disability issues in Nigeria. Although policies and laws exist to protect persons with disabilities, implementation remains weak. Disability-inclusive security planning is rarely considered, and emergency response systems do not adequately account for the unique needs of vulnerable groups.

The kidnap of Muhammad Abdullahi should not be treated as just another tragic headline. It should serve as a wake-up call for government at all levels, security agencies, school authorities, and community leaders. Protecting the vulnerable is not optional; it is a moral and constitutional responsibility.

Nigeria must urgently strengthen its security architecture, particularly around schools, and adopt inclusive measures that consider the safety of persons with disabilities. Failure to act decisively sends a dangerous message that the lives of the most vulnerable can be ignored.

Until meaningful reforms are implemented, incidents like this will continue to expose a painful truth: Nigeria’s security crisis does not just threaten lives—it strips the most vulnerable of their dignity, safety, and hope.

Osas Egharevba writes from Edo State.

 

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Members Of NAPWPd Draw Battle Line With Their Chairman, Adeniyi Rotimi, Over Unconstitutional Tenure Elongation: Threaten to drag him to EFCC for lack of financial accountability

An imminent implosion is looming before the Lagos state chapter of the National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD) as some concerned members of the association have confronted their chairman, Mr Adeniyi Rotimi, whom they accuse of “unconstitutional and illegal tenure elongation” amidst other allegations, including high-handedness and lack of financial accountability. This was contained in a petition written against the chairman in which they alleged that he has refused to conduct an election for the state chapter almost one year after the end of his tenure which they said expired February 2025. 

“We, the concerned members of the National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities (NAPWPD) Lagos State Chapter, bring to your attention serious allegations of misconduct and term overstay against our State Chairman, Adeniyi Rotimi”, the petition read in parts.

Mr Rotimi was also accused of high-handedness, threatening anyone that spoke against the tenure elongation. In addition, he was said to always make a joke of the issue when confronted with it and thus treat an otherwise serious issue with levity.

The petition further alleged that the chairman was running the association without accountability and that he rarely called for a general meeting of the state chapter except when he wanted to solicit funds from members.

Speaking with Lagos Today Extra!, one of these concerned members who is also the chairman of the Lagos Island local chapter of the association, Mr Adeniyi Gbadamosi, said members of the association had tried in vain to prevail on Mr Rotimi to conduct an election so that new exco members can take over the running of the association. He said the chairman was delaying to conduct the election because of his ambition to become the new South-west coordinator when eventually an election is held into that office by June 2026.

“Election into the office of the zonal coordinator for the South-west zone of the association is coming up by June this year and whoever is the Lagos state chairman will automatically become the coordinator of the zone. That is why Adeniyi Rotimi is delaying in conducting the Lagos state chapter election. He wants to continue to be chairman so that when the South-west election comes, he will automatically become the new coordinator of the zone. But it is wrong to do this through unconstitutional and illegal process,” Mr Adeniyi Gbadamosi said. He added that Mr Rotimi has an entitlement mentality to the position because he is a chairman imposed on the association as there was no real contest during the election that brought him in.

“It was Dare Dairo , the former GM of Lasoda, that imposed him on us. At the time, Dairo was the outgoing chairman and he manipulated the entire electioneering process and handpicked those that are now in the state executive committee. Everything was done in secrecy, even members who wanted to obtain forms for that election could not do that because the forms were hidden and only those handpicked by Dare Dairo had access to them.

“Everything that is happening now is being orchestrated from the background by Dare Dairo. And that’s because he wants to come back as the new state chairman of the association. The plan is to delay the whole process so that when eventually Adeniyi Rotimi goes to the zonal level, Dare Dairo will come back as the new chairman,” he stated.

Confirming the allegation of high-handedness, Adeniyi Gbadamosi said members were intimidated into silence because of the fear of being unjustly evicted out of the association’s platform, citing the case of one Otunba who was removed from the platform because of his opposition to the tenure elongation. He also told Lagos Today Extra! that Mr Rotimi was running the association without financial accountability, stressing that concerned members were considering dragging him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) so that he can account for all the funds that have come into the coffers of the association ever since he became chairman.

“In all the years that he has been chairman, Adeniyi Rotimi only called for a general meeting three times and this happens when he wants to solicit funds from members. We don’t know what happens to these funds. People like us will not just stand by and watch while our money is being misappropriated. We will certainly drag him to the EFCC so that he can account for all the money that has been coming into the association ever since he became chairman,” he further stated. 

When contacted for his own side of the story, Mr Adeniyi Rotimi said he could not speak on the issue because he had to consult with his exco first before talking to the press. However, The state auditor of the association, Mr Ugo Cul, who spoke on his behalf, dismissed the allegation of high-handedness levelled against the chairman, saying it was fabricated from the “pit of hell”.

According to him, Mr Adeniyi Rotimi is the epitome of humility who can never threaten anyone let alone evicting them from the association’s platform simply because they have views that are contrary to his.

“Have you asked these people making these allegations whether they have exhausted the internal mechanism in the association before going to the press? Our association is a national association and if, at the state level, you feel uncomfortable about certain things, then the wise thing to do is approach the national body for redress,” he said.

Mr Ugo Cul could not however provide an answer as to why the chairman has refused to conduct an election almost a year after the expiration of his tenure. He said he could not answer because it was an issue within the purview of the national body. He could not also confirm if the national body of the association was in favour of the unconstitutional tenure elongation.

Lending his voice to the issue, the state Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the association, Mr Ojo, said the allegation that the chairman was running the association without accountability was false and the handiwork of rumour mongers and mischief makers, stressing that Mr Rotimi had never embezzled the funds of the association. He also gave an insight as to why the state chapter had not conducted an election to usher in new exco members.

“It’s true that the tenure of the present administration expired last year. But it is not true that the chairman is not willing to conduct an election. We have not conducted the election because we have to wait for the local government chapters to conduct their own elections. As I speak with you, many of the local chapters are yet to conduct their elections. As soon as they do this, the state will conduct its own election,” he explained.

However, a source who is close to the exco but pleaded anonymity, faulted this explanation, insisting that tenure elongation was illegal and unconstitutional and therefore cannot be used in any guise.

“If for any reason, the state decides to defer its election to a later date, must it be through unconstitutional means? Why don’t they put in place a caretaker committee to take charge of the association pending the election of a new set of exco members?” the source asked, adding that, as at now, the present administration is unconstitutional and therefore whatever actions they take would be null and void and illegal.

Mr Adeniyi Gbadamosi also disagreed with the explanation given by the PRO, saying there was no part of the constitution that forbids state elections from holding until all local chapters have had their own elections.

In his own words: “It’s part of the delay tactics. There is no part of our constitution that says all local government chapters must conduct their elections before the state can conduct its own.”

Meanwhile, Mr Ugo Cul, the state auditor of the association became visibly angry when he learnt that Lagos Today Extra!’s correspondent spoke with Mr Ojo, the state PRO,, asking why the correspondent should speak with the PRO when he had already told the publication that the exco would not provide an answer to the question of why the chairman was delaying in conducting a state election for the chapter.

“I already told you that we will not tell you the reason for the delay in conducting the election because it is an issue with the national body. So, why did you go and speak with the PRO?” he asked. But when he was reminded that the PRO was the one constitutionally vested with the task of providing information to the public and not the auditor, he did not make further responses. 

Comrade Adeyemi, another member of the association who spoke to Lagos Today Extra!, said what majority of the members want is for the state to conduct an election so that a new exco can come onboard. “Let them conduct the election so that everything can go back to normal. Majority of us want the election to hold as soon as possible,” he said.

In the midst of all this, a general meeting has been hurriedly slated for January 17 and most people believe this was going to be a make-it-all or break-it-all meeting as issues bordering on the tenure elongation will top the agenda for discussion that day. For now, concerned members of the association do not believe the January 17 meeting will produce any positive outcome, seeing it as a plan hurriedly put in place to brainwash them into playing along with Mr Rotimi in the tenure elongation. 

As events unfold, the question on the lips of most observers is: Will the chairman listen to the voice of these concerned members and avert what many believe is an imminent implosion in the association or will he insist on holding onto that position? Events to come will determine where the tide swings to. Lagos Today Extra! will keep you posted. 

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