Ganduje Blames Rising Street Begging On Neglect Of PLWD 

Former Kano State governor and immediate past National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has raised concerns over the growing population of beggars in Northern Nigeria, linking the trend to the long-standing neglect of Persons Living With Disabilities, PLWD, in the region.

Ganduje stated this recently in Abuja in a goodwill message at the 10th anniversary documentary premiere of Let’s Talk Humanity, an organisation focused on addressing the educational needs of the deaf and blind.

He lamented what he described as the systemic marginalisation of persons with disabilities in the north, warning that the consequences are visible in the increasing number of street beggars across major cities.

According to him,“In the north, persons with disabilities are relegated to the background. Seeing is believing, no doubt. That is why we have an array of beggars across the northern part of this country. Some sleep under bridges and a few by the roadside. This is a sorry sight.

“But looking at what we have here this afternoon, you can see that there is a silent revolution ongoing. If what we are seeing could be adopted by governors and the relevant authorities, there is no doubt there will be a positive change in our society.

“Yes, they are relegated because they are physically challenged. This has affected their psyche and motivation. They cannot even think of themselves as human beings like others. However, by unveiling this kind of programmes, we are teaching them to be like any normal human being in our society.

“Finally, I urge those in government and development partners to help make a great change, especially among persons with disabilities. Although many of these physically challenged persons can’t stop begging, they can be developed to the extent of making them become employers of labour.”

Ganduje also praised the founder of the organisation, Fatima Ganduje Ajimobi—who is his daughter—saying her commitment to humanitarian service was evident from an early age.

Besides, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Bernard Doro, commended the initiative and stressed the need for deliberate inclusion of persons with disabilities in technological development.

“When we develop assistive devices or technology in general, this has to be done with people living with disabilities in mind. You don’t wait until you do it before you begin to adapt it for people to use, and I believe it is an important point to make.

“We must move towards a future where accessibility is by design, moving away from retrofitting tools towards building universal platforms, digital must be the priority here, technology should empower individuals to navigate the world on their own terms,” the minister said.

In her remarks, Ajimobi disclosed that the organisation had empowered over 1,000 beneficiaries in the last decade, reflecting on its journey and impact.

She said, “Seeing the faces of alumni, members of staff and supporters of Tudun Maliki here today takes me back to the very beginning 10 years ago—when you trusted me with something so important: the future of your education and the possibility of change through technology.”

While calling for stronger partnerships and sustained advocacy, she expressed optimism about scaling the organisation’s reach in the coming years.

“Our projection for the next 10 years is to be able to have a national resource centre for those with sensory impairment to be able to tap into the international resources available in the developed world when it comes to special needs,” she added.

Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the documentary as emotional and urged state governments to replicate such initiatives nationwide.

“It was very touching watching that documentary. I think this is something the Governors Forum should take up and support.

“If we have this in every state, our society will be a better place to live in. Thank you for the compassion, kindness and humanity because that is what makes the world go round. You can count on my support,” she stated.

The event brought together experts in disability education, government officials, staff, alumni and scholars from Tudun Maliki Special School, highlighting a decade of advocacy and intervention in inclusive learning.