Nigerian Paralympic gold medalist, Orji Precious Nwakaego wedded her heartthrob, Kelechi Moses on 2nd January, 2017 at the state Banquet hall, Government house, Imo State. Happy married life to them. See more photos here..

Polly and Joe fell for each other when they met 8 years ago as college students in Sussex, UK. The couple who said their attraction was instant didn’t let disability stand in the way of a fairy tale wedding when they decided to tie the knot.

Polly said she wanted her big day to have a festival vibe and she pulled off the feat with about 200 guests present to see her get hitched to her sweetheart in a ceremony that looked like something out of a Disney story.
They got married in May last last year but are only just sharing pics from the event in the hope that their story may help others.
Polly said: ‘It would be wonderful if our story could touch the lives of others struggling to cope with any kind of disability or inequality. The greatest thing is to love and be loved in return.’

‘Our favourite parts of the day were saying I do, exchanging rings and dancing to Labyrinth’.

‘We also love that so many people came to celebrate with us.’
‘My advice to other couples, especially to young adults with special needs, is to live the dream, believe in yourselves and that anything can be possible.’

Deaf lawyer Keight Chinyere got wed to her sweetheart, Chinemeze Sunday Nnadi on Saturday 31st December, 2016, new year Eve.

May God bless their union. Congratulations to her!

Tola Foundation yesterday hold it’s first new year luncheon and seminar yesterday at Ala Ijebu, Ogun state themed: “grateful heart in tough times” with guest speaker, Taiwo Akangbe and Sule Akinwumi delivering lectures and external guests, Irene from Sweden teaches Swedish sign language with the help of Joseph Ameho and Mr. Dare Oguntade from USA all grace the occasion. 

According to Tola Odusanya Life Advancement Foundation. T. O. L. A. Foundations chairman, Dr. Tola Odusanya, “It’s impossible to completely enumerate our goals, objectives and history here. In short, however,  we aim to empower people through education,  job provisions,  scholarstics/ scholarship provisions. We sponsor sporting events, school quizzes, etc. We are still evolving and are looking for collaborative possibilities with other NGOs with similar aspirations. Stay and work with us as we gradually evolve.”
Dr. Tola also said “Those with vocational skills can volunteer to teach others while we provide little or no assistance. Of course,  we will acknowledge that we collaborate to make the event possible.” He also added “We invite those willing to collaborate and help others to grow to please please contact us and manifest their intentions.”

Photos from the event

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HAPPY NEW YEAR OF ALL OF YOU AND WELCOME TO THIS 2017 VERY BEAUTIFUL NEW YEAR OF SUCCESS STORIES TO BE TOLD AT THE END OF IT AND GOOD HEALTH

Our 2017 New Year Resolution

FINISHING UP OUR EXCELLENT JOBS FOR HUMANITY, 25.5 MILLION NIGERIANS WITH DISABILITIES AND EVERY NIGERIAN FAMILY

This 2017, To finish the unfinished Jobs by directly, lobbying and negotiating with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Administration to sign into law, Nigerians with Disability Rights Bill with an essential, Independent Implementation COMMISSION

This 2017, To ensure that the Federal Republic of Nigeria, truly implements the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Its accompanying Optional Protocol, which Nigeria signed and ratified, on March 30, 2007 and September 24, 2010 Respectively.

This 2017, To Ensure that Nigeria truly implements the Disability-Inclusive Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 2030 Agenda.
This 2017 to Break the Entire DECADES of Permanent Barriers placed against all forms of Disability-Inclusive Developments and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), true implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), in Nigeria by the Nigerian Leaders and also by the Leaders for 25.5 Million Nigerians with Disabilities.

We the Nigerian-Americans with Disabilities Living in the United States, and our Disabled Peoples Organizations (DPOs), Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, Inc, FESTAC-USA, Inc,  BEATRONICS, Inc and Kaysom Holdings, Inc, led by Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, as members of the then, World’s International Disability Caucus (IDC) (Now, known as, International Disability Alliance (IDA)),  Rehabilitation International (RI), Disabled People’s International (DPI), etc…, and also as Nigerian Delegates to the United Nations, in collaborations with our network of Nigerian-Americans in the Diaspora, successfully, Advocated, lobbied, negotiated and urged the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan, to sign and ratify the UN CRPD and its accompanying Optional Protocol, for more than 25.5 Million, poor and helpless, long-neglected and ignored Nigerian with Disabilities and every Nigerian family because every Nigerian family has one or more persons with disabilities insider every Nigerian households.

Today, since March 30, 2007 and September 24, 2010, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is yet to truly comply by the mandates set by this human rights treaty of the 21st Century, by Amending the Nigerian Constitution and signing into law, Nigerians with Disability Rights Bill with an Independent Commission.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO FINISH UP OUR EXCELLENT JOBS FOR HUMANITY

To finish up this excellent job for humanity, 25.5 million Nigerians with Disabilities and every Nigerian Family, it requires the network of every Nigerian and Nigerian Organizations in the Diaspora and based at home, to join us in directly advocating, lobbying, negotiating and urging the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and his Administration to sign this years of long-pending, Nigerians with Disabilities Right Bill as an Executive Bill with an Independent Implementation Commission.

We will be making several Calls to Actions soon and will need your direct supports.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU

The West African Examinations Council says collusion is one of the greatest methods of examination malpractices that are inherent among blind candidates.

The Head of Test Administration of WAEC in Nigeria, Frances Iweha-Onukwu, made the revelation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday.

Iweha-Onukwu said the reason could be that the candidates were usually not well equipped individually for the examinations.

She added that this had been responsible for what she described as “not too wonderful performance” among the blinds.

Iweha-Onukwu said: “We have discovered that there is usually high incidence of collusion among blind candidates during examinations.

“That is why their performance has not really been anything wonderful.

“Our society is such that there have not been adequate and conscious efforts to take care of the challenged.

“There have not been enough trained personnel to guide blind candidates before being exposed to major external examination.”

weha-Onukwu noted the where a teacher who studied Special Education in higher institution and employed to cater for the needs of physically challenged persons of various dimensions, was worrisome and must be reviewed.

She said: “I cannot explain how one teacher, who studied special education, can be given the singular task of meeting the academic needs of the deaf, dumb, the blind and all others.

“Meanwhile, there are candidates who need personalised attention on one-on-one basis.

“If we intend to give the best and all-inclusive education, the Federal Government must employ more trained teachers in special education to take care of the different defects among the physically challenged students.

“There must also be consciousness in policy fomulation that will take care of these persons.

“This is because there is ability in disability. These persons can do better if adequate care is given.”
Source: NAN

Do you want to become a lawyer so that you can advocate for the rights of deaf people in your country? If yes, you can apply for the D-LAW Scholarship!

Michael Steven Stein is the Executive Director of Deaf Legal Advocacy Worldwide.  Mr. Stein, who is deaf, does disability advocacy work with the Deaf communities in Chile and Indonesia.  He is also a law partner with the firm Stein & Vargas, LLP which advocates for the rights of people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. He is pleased to announce a new scholarship opportunity for deaf leaders around the world who want to become lawyers and advocate for the rights of deaf people.

United Nations Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) guarantees the human rights of people with disabilities. However, deaf people around the world still experience discrimination. The scholarship will empower deaf leaders who want to advocate for deaf rights.

Do you want to become a lawyer so that you can advocate for the rights of deaf people in your country? If yes, you can apply for the D-LAW Scholarship! FOR APPLICATION, click here

To be a candidate, you must satisfy two requirements:
First, you must also have a strong relationship with your local deaf community and demonstrate your commitment to advocating for the human rights of deaf people.Second, you must have strong academic skills, including strong writing and reading skills.
The scholarship will help pay for law school tuition in your country. If necessary, the scholarship will also pay for sign language interpreters so you can attend law school.

For more information. Please visit us at D-LAW to learn more.

Please share widely.

Source: meetcheetablog.com

Cross River state governor Ben Ayade and his wife Dr. Linda are pictured at the Cultural Carnival ongoing in Calabar. They sure know how to groove. Also see Ayade during the Bikers Festival earlier today.

US outgoing President Barack Obama said in an exit interview with his former top adviser, David Axelrod, that, had he been able to run, he could have beat Donald Trump and won a third term in the White House. Describing his confidence in an America that is “tolerant” and “full of energy,” Obama said:

“I am confident in this vision because I’m confident that … if I had run again and articulated it, I think I could’ve mobilized a majority of the American people to rally behind it.” 
The outgoing president made the comments as part of an extensive interview with David Axelrod, for his podcast produced by CNN and the University of Chicago.

“I know that in conversations that I’ve had with people around the country, even some people who disagreed with me, they would say the vision, the direction that you point towards is the right one,” 
Obama acknowledged that Democrats and progressives face political challenges, especially in rural areas. He said:
“If we can’t find some way to break through what is a complicated history in the South and start winning races there and winning back Southern white voters without betraying our commitment to civil rights and diversity — if we can do those things, then we can win elections,”.
Obama also warned about an “era where we are looking for simple solutions … that we end up starting to shut ourselves off from different points of view, shutting down debate, becoming more dogmatic, becoming more brittle. And I don’t see that being a successful strategy for us winning over the country.” He reminded listeners that his party won the popular vote on Election Day, but said:
“We don’t have very good population distribution from a democratic perspective.”

Source: NY Times/NBC

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Sunday counseled the youths in the State on the need to embrace hardwork, saying that such was important to be successful in life.
Governor Ambode, who spoke in Epe during the ongoing One Lagos Fiesta, an annual end of the year revue put together by the State Government, said it was important for the young ones to cultivate the habit of working hard, as such would go a long way in making them to achieve their dreams.

While recalling his days growing up in Epe, the Governor said he became the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State through the grace of God and hardwork, assuring that as government, his administration would continue to create the enabling environment for the youths in the State.

He said: “What I want to tell all of you is that we believe so much in all of you; we know that you are our future; I also started from here and today by the grace of God, I happened to be your Governor and so there will be many more Governors from this crowd.

“But if you want to be a President; if you want to be a Governor; if you want to a Doctor or you want to be a lawyer and so on, you must now work hard. So, even when you work hard, our duty as government is to provide the enabling environment for all of you and so we are going to create more jobs for our youths and also we will create more facilities so that you can crave on your talents to become more creative.”

Besides, the Governor said as a means of helping the youths to achieve their dreams, the State Government has already created the Employment Trust Fund and urged them to take advantage of the Fund.

Ambode added: “Those of you who are out of school or are graduates now and you don’t have jobs, the ETF is available for all of you. Between now and November next year, we are providing an Arts Theatre in Epe. It is going to be a 500-seater Theatre and we will also have a modern cinema here in Epe.

“We are bringing a shopping mall to Epe also. We will create more jobs but I want you to be the best. I will support you and I pray that all the things that I have gained from here, you will gain better ones than me.”

Speaking on the Fiesta, Ambode expressed excitement at the large turn out at the event, but urged the youths to continue to embrace peace and shun violence.

He said: “We are very excited to be here. We were here last year. This is bigger, its bolder and its better. I am so excited to see this large crowd here. It means that Epe is going places. I see a whole lot of our youth here present. I am happy that Epe has been peaceful and it has been calm and we are enjoying ourselves.”

The One Lagos Fiesta is being held simultaneously in Epe, Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja and Lagos Island and it will climax in the early hours of January 1, 2017.

Source: Greenews

Gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE dismantled the official Boko Haram terrorists flag at Parisu, Camp Zairo, Sambisa forest, Borno State signifying the capture of the Boko Haram terrorists stronghold.

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Lois Auta (physically challenged) has received “golden literider envy” wheelchair as Christmas gift worse $1,425 and wrote “Many thanks to my boss and Barbara for this precious gift, I repeat, a very precious gift to me in this special season because it helps me move from point A to point B comfortable and conveniently. Please a word of prayer for him, I will print it and send it to him with all your names on it.  Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to you all. Thank you everyone and I love you all.”

Congratulations to her!