Foundation seeks end to stigmatisation of polio victims

The founder of Living with and Managing Polio (LIMP) foundation, Mr Uche Nwaneri, has called for an end to the stigmatization of polio victims in the country.

Speaking during the launch of the foundation in Abuja, he said that polio victims were not easily given good jobs in the country because of their disability.

Nwaneri, who said it was time polio victims as well as other persons with disabilities were given their rightful places as is done in other parts of the world, flayed the delay in the passage of the bill protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, saying that its delay was increasing the trauma and stigmatisation they lived with.

He explained that in other parts of the world, whenever any public structure was being built such as banks, shopping malls amongst others, provisions were made available for easy movement and access for them but in Nigeria, no such provisions were made, thus making life traumatic and a struggle for them.

A victim of polio himself, Nwaneri has been a broadcaster for 21 years and said he had gone through a lot to attain his position, and felt the need to stand in the gap for others who were facing challenges in the society.

On the resurgent cases of polio in Nigeria, he said the government relaxed on its efforts after recording success, noting that the effort ought to be a continuous one.

He said the foundation will also set up chapters in the state to ensure the advocacy message gets to the states and also hold a 20 meters walk on October 1 to create awareness on the disease.

Another polio victim, Barrister Ihekwoaba Paul, said people living with polio and other disabilities face lots of stigmatization and neglect in the country.

He called on human rights activists to lend their voices to the plight of polio victims and help urge the law makers to pass the disability bill into law.

Sports administrator and concerned citizen, Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, said that during sporting events, people with disabilities often perform well and bring back medals thus underscoring the need to give them opportunities in the society.