Haruna Tata is a person with physical disability, he is one of the polio survivors from Baduwa ward jakusko local government area of Yobe state. He completed his primary education in his home town in 2008 and proceed to complete his secondary school education in Gas jakusko in 2015.Â
He has a Diploma with distinctions in computer science from the University of Maiduguri. In the interview with INN, he poured out his heart as he appreciated Governor Mai Mala Buni for selecting him as one of the beneficiaries of the Yobe state scholarship scheme to study in Turkey university. Read the full interview below:
_Excerpts_
Can we meet you?
I am Haruna Tafa a physically challenged person from Yobe state, polio survivor to be precise. I am one of the lucky beneficiaries selected for the Yobe state scholarship scheme.
Tell us the history of your disability?
It was as a result of polio, it happened when I was two years old, I had an illness and was taken to the hospital by my parents. I was given injections at that time. The result is what you are seeing now.
Growing up and seeing myself in this situation as a child I was depressed because I found myself hiding at home because each time I come out my friend would be mimicking my movement and the way I crawl. I crawled to school everyday, when I was in primary four my headmaster got me a wheelchair from Jakusko local government. He also encouraged me to continue my education.
What were the challenges you faced growing up as a person with disabilities?
Inaccessibility and discrimination are the major challenges facing me on daily basis. I do not have access to public places like market, bank, transportation system. Due to lack of ramps and lifts. In most of our offices, community hall and mosque as a person with disability I face a lot of challenges.
How would you sum up your family’s approach toward you as regards your disability?
Members of my family showed me a lot of love. Whatever I want, if they can afford, they will give me .
What do you aspire to be in life?
I want to be well educated in order to help more people including those that have ability and disability.
Who funded your education?
My parents are poor nevertheless they took responsibilities of my education from primary to Diploma level.
Did you faced any forms of stigmatization and discrimination?
Many people look down on me, many people don’t believe in my capability, but there are others who encouraged me to continue my education, some others I impressed them when they noticed I was schooling, some people when I approached them they thought I came to beg.
How did you come into being selected as one of the beneficiaries of Yobe state scholarship to study in Turkey university?
It’s with God’s help I was able to be selected, there was a time I browse on Google for the association of person with disabilities in Nigeria, I found this association JONAPWD, I picked the number of the chairman of this association in Yobe state chapter, also I found the platform of Qualitative magazine I picked the number of the publisher of Qualitative magazine I called him and I told him all what I want from government and well-meaning Nigerians to help me he said “let me link you with Muhammad Abba Isa leader of PWDs in Yobe state he would help you” then he send me Muhammed Abba Isa’s number, I called him and I told him my zeal and predicament he said “continue to pray, I would not forget you” suddenly four weeks ago he called me and told me that “Haruna you are selected as one of the beneficiaries of disabled scholarship of Yobe state that H.E Governor Mai Mala Buni approved.
That time I heard about the great opportunity of this scholarship It felt like it was a dream. But that is the work of God.
What are your plans when you get to Turkey?
I want to acquire more knowledge in Turkey to be well educated.
What is the situation with the Disability rights bill in your state? Is it implemented?
No, its not implemented.
I once asked Muhammad Abba about the implementation. He said” it not implemented for now but they are trying to implement the bill.
How would you rate Governor MaI Mala Buni in term of inclusiveness?
H.E Mai Mala Buni, the executive Governor of Yobe state is a man that has many type of inclusive minds, now he treats pwds equal to others people he is the great governor among the governors.
Any messages for governor Mai Mala Buni and pwds leader in Yobe state, Comrade Abba Isa?
With immense gratitude let me use this opportunity to register my heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to my Governor His Excellency Hon. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state, Nigeria for approved sponsorship of 20 persons with physical disability status to study in Turkish university in an ongoing scholarship scheme by the effort of Comrade Muhammed Abba Isa, May almighty Allah give you whatever you want to achieved, in your leadership.
Special appreciation, gratitude, salutation and sincere thank to northeast zonal leader of APC Comrade Muhammad Abba Isa for working tirelessly toward the achievements for persons with disabilities. Thank you sir, for your tremendous efforts may Almighty Allah pour his love, blessing, guide and protect you and the entire members of your family. Amen
Your advice to people living with disabilities?
My advice to my people is try to do what you can, don’t depend with someone, try to be self reliance, being handicapped is not a disability the ability of mind is a gift to lead a normal life.
1 comment
GOD bless people that have are disabilities for the world