The Akko Association of the Deaf in Gombe State have expressed displeasure over the continuous neglect of its members in several youth empowerment initiatives in Akko Local Government Area of the State.
In an open letter addressed to the Member Representing Akko Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, the group lamented that despite so many ongoing initiatives for youths in district, members of the Association have not benefitted from any.
The letter, signed by the Secretary General of the Association, Yahaya Yusuf Kumo, commended the lawmaker for the many initiatives to empower youths since his sojourn in the House of Representatives since 2011, however noting that it was a sad development that deaf persons who reside in the area were being excluded from benefiting.
Kumo, particularly mentioned that the recent youth empowerment programme and distribution of pallatives by the lawmaker did not make provision for deaf and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
“Sir, I’m an eye-witness to many good things you have been doing especially in Kumo and Akko LGA since your first term as member i.e during 2011-2015.
“I saw a lot, unfortunately all the good work you have been doing we Deaf and PWDs are neglected, marginalized and excluded. Not even in your recent youth empowerment or distribution of palliative materials not to speak of securing appointments for our graduates members
“My Dear Honourable, I’m talking with facts because I have been Deputy Secretary of Association in your first term 2011-15 and currently the Secretary General in your present tenure. Our Chairman is Mohammed Abba Atiku and we can testify that there is no single Deaf or PWDs registered with our Association that has ever benefited from your previous Youth/women empowerment employment or educational support since the 2011 to date,” the Association’s scribe wrote in the letter.
Kumo said the situation was rather unfortunate considering the fact the deaf and PWDs are part of the Constituency and also voted for the lawmaker and hence deserve not only equal treatment but also special consideration as Deaf and PWDs.
“We have many Deaf and disabled students, graduates, and those who were unable to attend school because we don’t have any Deaf/ special school in your constituency Akko Central. I wrote to you several times and I don’t know if the people close to you told you or submitted the letter to you or not or you choose to ignore it or they didn’t submit it.
“This is one of the reasons I choose to make this open letter to you with the hope it will reach you,” Kumo said.
He said the youths were not too perturbed by the exclusion from the recent palliative materials and motorcycles distribution/Youth empowerment, but are more interested in educational support, employment and empowerment.
“The greatest challenges militating against the development of the Deaf and PWDs of your constituency has been lack of educational support.
“As a result only few of us have to go to school up to tertiary level. Meanwhile lack of Deaf special school in kumo Akko LGA is one of the reasons many of our younger ones are unable to enrol to special school which is located at Gombe.
“Many parents can’t afford or are not interested in sending their Deaf or Disabled kids to schools far away outside the LGA. Note that in Billiri, Kaltungo, Gombe etc there are Special Schools unfortunately Akko LGA with the greatest number of Deaf and PWDs the reverse is the case. I fear for the future of our younger ones,” he said.
In employment and empowerment, the Secretary General said it was unfortunate that youth graduates who the lawmaker had helped to secure employment or empowerment opportunities none was a deaf or PWD member.
“We have some deaf and PWDs graduates and they need not only your equal treatment but also especial consideration.
“Those who are unable to go to school or unable attain higher education certificate beyond secondary school (due to lack of parental and societal support) need to be empowered, but please not the kind of empowerment you had been doing to people without disabilities.
“Our disabled empowerment vary. You need to have someone that will advise you on the kind of empowerment and projects needed for Deaf and PWDs,” the letter read.
The association also tasked the lawmaker to come up with a scholarship scheme for persons with disabilities that will enable younger ones continue to further their education beyond secondary school.
“I pray hope and believe this letter will reach you and be given special consideration,” the letter concluded.