February 16, (THEWILL) – A special Valentine’s Day event at the Media Sports Centre, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, provided a platform to celebrate and support people with disabilities in an atmosphere of love and generosity.
The gathering, organised by Ambassador Chukwzubelu Umeizudike in collaboration with WAZOBIA FM’s Kelly Egberi, popularly known as Kellyblind, brought together hundreds of individuals living with disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf, autistic, or facing other challenges.
Egberi used the occasion to make a passionate appeal to the Nigerian government, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritise the needs of persons with disabilities.
He emphasised the pressing need for employment opportunities and social programs tailored to uplift this often-overlooked community.
“We are not benefiting from the government, especially under the All Progressives Congress-led administration. Persons with disabilities have been struggling for the past two years with no visible support from either the federal or state governments,” Egberi lamented.
According to him, the previous administration under the People’s Democratic Party had done more to support persons with disabilities, citing initiatives such as the “shopping money” scheme under former President Goodluck Jonathan, where 20% of allocated funds were directed toward people with disabilities.
However, since 2015, he noted, there has been little to no intervention.
Egberi also pointed out that despite former President Muhammadu Buhari signing the Disability Act into law in 2019, its implementation remains elusive.
“Up until today, that law has not been enforced. There has been no major project targeting persons with disabilities, no structured empowerment programs, and no job creation initiatives,” he added.
The event underscored the role of private individuals stepping in where the government has fallen short.
“This is not the first time I’ve been involved in helping people with disabilities, but this is my first time working with Ambassador Umeizudike, the convener of the event,” Egberi stated.
He highlighted his foundation, Inner Eye Foundation, which has organised similar gatherings in the past, but noted that this particular event was the largest due to Umeizudike’s generosity.
Egberi further stressed the mental health challenges faced by persons with disabilities, stating that many of them survive solely on societal goodwill.
“Even people without disabilities are dealing with mental health struggles, so imagine what it’s like for those who depend entirely on handouts. A lot of them here today are graduates, yet the government does nothing to employ or empower them,” he said.
The event drew prominent personalities, including Ambassador Ezeawaka Moses Chukwuma, CEO of 7Stars Integrated Ltd; Ambassador James Expensive, Convener of Help One Foundation; Chief Chijioke Montfont, Founder of Ulefone House; Adaobi Obi; Mr. Oluwadare Seun Samuel, CEO of King of Pi Mall; and the CEO of Crazyegbonstv, among others.
Many attendees echoed Egberi’s call for better government policies and programs aimed at persons with disabilities. The message was clear: these individuals deserve dignity, access to job opportunities, and inclusion in national development plans.
Egberi pledged to continue hosting such events, with plans to make it an annual gathering to ensure persons with disabilities are recognized beyond Valentine’s Day.
“We must continue to advocate for them. The government needs to act and create sustainable programs for persons with disabilities. They are not asking for handouts; they are asking for opportunities to contribute meaningfully to society,” he concluded.
With growing calls for action, the onus now lies on the government to implement policies that will genuinely support and uplift Nigeria’s disability community.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
