Ibom Air, an airline owned by the Akwa Ibom State Government has barred a prominent PWD, Hon. Chidi Topaz Olujie, from its flight, citing deafness as reason.
Mr Chidi Olujie (Deaf) is the National President, Nigerian National Association of the Deaf, NNAD. He disclosed the unsavoury incident in a chat with INN correspondent.
According to him, the airline stopped him from checking-in upon getting to the airport around 1pm this afternoon. This was after he had purchased his ticket online and the only reason given was his disability..
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In his words, “Last year, I and some six other Deaf colleagues encountered this problem while flying to Lagos from Uyo on Ibom air.
“They blocked us saying that their policy disallows Deaf persons from flying unless they are accompanied by hearing companions. We had some serious exchange of words with an employee named Victoria. However, she later apologized and they promised to change their policy.
A repeat of such incident happened again today after Olujie purchased a flight ticket online, only to be barred from flying upon arriving at the airport.
The embattled president show INN the discriminatory message shown to him by the airline during the incident. It reads: “Ibom Air would really love to fly you but you would need to travel accompanied. This is in line with civil aviation regulations as you would need to be informed at every point especially in case of any emergencies in flight. We sincerely apologize, sir”. The Airline said.
Chidi Olujie, who happens to have a good travel history both within and outside of Nigeria unaccompanied says this is the highest form of discrimination he has encountered in his over 30 years experience as a PWD and Disability advocate made it clear he wouldn’t take such lightly.
According to him, due to their unprofessionalism and discriminatory policies, he missed a very important business meeting and by the time he was able to book a ticket with another airline, he was already late for the meeting. He vowed to take the matter to court of law to serve as deterrent to other airlines who would discriminate against a Deaf Nigerian or any other PWD cluster.
“As a disability advocate and a leader for Deaf people in Nigeria, I am going to take this matter to the courts of Law so no Deaf Nigerian ever experiences this form of discrimination again!” he reiterated.
Photos of the text messages and the 2020 and 2021 payment tickets:
7 comments
Stupidity. When Disability Law has not been enacted they carried on as they liked. With Disability Law in place, let’s see if it will be business as usual. I condemned discrimination in any guise or form.
We must fight for our right .We must condemn discrimination under any guise .
We must fight and fight to the finish for our rights.This is stupidity for the highest order!Why now!!!?
Enough is enough of these senseless policies and discrimination against the Deaf and Nigerian with Disabilities. Is the Airline saying that because of our Deafness we must not enjoy good things of life and must suffer?
This unfair ….
Why can’t them employ people who can do the interpret to them dear…
Ibom Airport needs to change seriously
People get sick and become deaf, you can have an accident and become deaf, is that when this would be important to you? Nigeria unfortunately is a place where people who need help the most usually get discarded and zero help received. I’m disappointed and disgusted.
This is an insult. Even without the law be enacted as far as they have the right to vote and voted for, so why would ordinary means of transportation become the bridge in between. This has to stop in this country after the ability leaders are a disability in the brain and senses. Please our law makers should look into this matter for justice and damages⁴