The Joint Clusters of Kano State Persons with Disabilities, under the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Kano State Chapter, have distanced themselves from a recent protest and press conference organized under the guise of the Kano Civil Societies Forum. The association clarified that there is a pending legal case regarding the leadership, and they were not part of the protest.

The Joint Chapters came across a protest and a press conference by some interest groups putting pressure on the Kano State government to create a disability commission. They categorically distanced themselves from the press conference and the alleged sponsored protest organized by individuals claiming to represent persons living with disabilities. “We were not aware of the protest, neither are we part of it!” the association stated.

Instead of staging protests, the association chose to utilize the open channel of communication provided by the Abba Kabir administration, where their complaints and concerns are directly and swiftly addressed by the government. They rejected the approach taken by the individuals involved in the protest and their involvement with the association’s name.

The Joint Clusters and the leadership of JONAPWD highlighted the significant strides made in improving the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under the leadership of His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf. They based their arguments on several key achievements:

1. **Institutionalization of PWDs Affairs**: All Persons with Disabilities Associations were brought under the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Disabled, providing a direct channel of communication between the Kano State Government and PWDs.

2. **Direct Government Support**: In its 100 days in office, the Kano State Government provided substantial support to persons with disabilities, including assistive devices, medical consumables, and palliatives. The government distributed 100 bags of 10kg rice and 100 bags of 10kg maize to each Local Government Area (LGA) with a N50,000 transportation fee. Additionally, 200 bags of 25kg rice palliatives and direct cash transfers of N20,000 to 2,000 PWDs members across Kano State were provided.

3. **Support for Special Day Events**: The government generously supported the World Disability Day 2024 and the International Day for Spinal Cord Injury 2023 and 2024, allocating significant funds for various activities and initiatives. The government also sponsored Kano representatives from 44 LGAs to Bauchi for the World Stick Day for visually impaired individuals.

4. **Empowerment and Inclusion**: The government distributed hundreds of tricycles, diapers, and wheelchairs to PWDs and fully implemented free education for PWDs and their siblings.

While supporting the idea of having a disability commission, the association proclaimed that Kano State is the most disability-friendly state in Nigeria and is on the right track to implementing policies for the development of PWDs members in Kano. They commended the efforts of the Kano State Government under the leadership of H.E. Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf for empowering and including PWDs in the state’s development agenda. “We have never been denied His Excellency’s approval anytime we submitted PWDs proposal,” they stated.

The association urged all members of the Joint Clusters of Kano PWDs, JONAPWD, and the general public to distance themselves from all forms of protest in the name of fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities in Kano State. They recognized the positive impact of the government’s initiatives for persons with disabilities and prayed for a peaceful Kano State and Nigeria in general.

The statement was signed by:
– Musa Muhammed Shaga, JONAPWD Chairman, Kano Chapter
– Abdulrahman Uba Daushe, Chairman, Spinal Cord Injury Association, Kano
– Musa Muhammed Kura, Chairman, National Association for the Blind
– Yahaya A. Yahaya, Chairman, National Association for Physically Challenged, Kano
– Da’u Sa’idu, IDEA Chairman, Kano State
– Hajiya Mariya, Albino Association, Kano