Femi Onireti-BGHC’s tricycle initiative: How we became lame, our experiences, joy

Femi Onireti-BGHC’s tricycle initiative: How we became lame, our experiences, joy

Femi OGUNLANA

The unprecedented distribution of free (manual) tricycles otherwise known as wheelchairs (100 in number), 10 walkers and 10 crutches,to Persons Living WIth Disabilities (PLWDs) in Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Saturday, by a partnership formed by a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Olufemi Onireti, and a non-governmental organization, Beautiful Gate Handicapped Centre (BGHC), Jos, Plateau state, unveiled a peep into the world of the physically challenged people (PLWDs) as a few of them interviewed by ogbomosoinsightonline.com recounted the events that condemned them to their present condition and how they have been coping to live above the debilitating challenge.

The beneficiaries were overwhelmed with joy as they poured accolades on their benefactors. In this documentary piece we bring you excerpts of texts of the interviews with some of the beneficiaries, particularly on how they ended up with the condition, efforts to remedy it and how they have lived with it. Also, Mrs. Sandra Yilgwan, Media and Programme Director of the Beautiful Gate Handicap Centre, spoke with Ogbomoso Insight, disclosing that in over twenty years, the organization had, in partnerships with public-spirited individuals, distributed over 40, 000 tricycles across Nigeria and beyond.

‘Onireti values life, that’s why he could embark on this programme – Sandra Yilgwan

What is your mission in Ogbomoso?

We came to distribute tricycles and other mobility aids. We have a kind of partnership. We partner with people. Our tricycles are 100 percent free but the partner needs to transport them (from Jos) and take care of other logistics, you know how much it will cost to bring them from Jos, he also funds transportation of staff and other things.

Tell us more about your organization

Beautiful Gate Handicap Centre is a faith-based organization that was established in 1999 by Hon Ayuba, a polio survivor, he is from Plateau state. So, it has been in existence for over 20 years. So far, we have given over 40, 000 tricycles across Nigeria and three other African countries namely Niger, Chad and Central African Republic. We manufacture the items. We have a workshop in Jos where we assemble the tricycles and we have some of our guys following the tricycles to where we do the distribution. They couple the parts there.

How many did you bring here?

We brought 100 tricycles, 10 walkers and 10 crutches.

Is skill acquisition training part of your objectives?

That is where the partnership comes in, we are not into that. We can only encourage our partners to consider empowering people with disabilities, and that is why I urged in my speech that he should give 20% slot to them during his empowerment programmes.

What do you think is the major cause of lameness in Nigeria, polio, accident or what?

The major causes of disabilities are polio, accidents, old age, and other underlying illnesses. There are some people who will just wake up today and develop disabilities. This organization started to care for polio survivors but along the line, we discovered there are accident victims, there are amputees, those induced by diabetes and other illnesses. So, we started to accommodate other people.

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Which zone in Nigeria has the most people with disabilities?

I think the North has more population that is why our work mostly is centered in the north.

Is this your first time coming to Ogbomoso?

Yeah! But we were in Ibadan last year and we are coming back to Ibadan in the next two weeks, I think we are partnering with the state government.

What can you say about Hon Onireti?

I am not a politician but l can see he has a good heart, like l said, we love it when we see people like him that want to help people, we love it when we see people who value lives. We are always full of joy for people like that. So, l will say that he is a good person, he is a kind person.

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‘I became lame when I was 8yrs old – Mrs. Oke Oluwaseun, from Alukoso compound

How did you become like this?

I was 8 years old, in primary four, when i felt headache, it’s what led to this.

You were taken to hospitals?

Different hospitals but to no avail, then, I met a doctor at the Baptist Hospital (now Bowen University Teaching Hospital), Ogbomoso, who took me to America. He did come to Ogbomoso once a year. He took me there to straighten up my backbone that was already curving, which could have resulted in me not being able to sit.

How has it been since then?

I thank God because if l were not in a position like this, l wouldn’t have reached where l reached, or knew people l had known. If l were not in this condition l could have died, God keeps one away like this to prevent him/her from calamity. I believe God keeps me so l can reach the high place He is taking me.

You are a politician? Because l could see you are popular, you have been exchanging pleasantries with a lot of people

I used to be a follower of late Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. But l came here for the tricycle because l could see Onireti is doing this without political consideration, he clarified that, members of different political parties are here. He has invited all PLWDs to benefit the programme.

What can you say about Hon Onireti?

I am just getting to know him. But l am impressed especially by his humility in deciding to sit in our midst when asked to sit somewhere else. If it were to be another person he would have sat at a special place. He is different from other politicians. It is a demonstration of his love for the PLWDs.

Have you witnessed a programme like this before?

Hmmm, yes, but never at this scale.

What do you do for a living?

I am a civil servant, working in Oriire local government. I am married.

Did you go to school?

I attended Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, and l am presently doing my degree at LAUTECH, studying Computer Science.

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‘I started feeling leg pain, they amputated the first one and then the second one’ – Afolabi Damilare, Obadare area

How old are you?

37 years old.

How did you end up a lame?

Quarry work is our family work, my father also did it, crushing stones and so on. So, about three years ago I went to work in Lagos, when I came back, I started to have pains in my leg. It didn’t subside, I went to the hospital, one thing led to another and they amputated my leg. I started to use artificial leg. Then, one day after one and a half years, again, I slept when I woke up, I had pain in the second leg and after efforts to remedy it failed, they amputated it too.

What has been the experience?

It has been difficult. My wife left me. I learned a trade, motorcycle part selling but I can’t open a shop for lack of finances.

How do you see today’s programme?

Hon Onireti’s gesture is well appreciated, Mobility is important, this assistance is marvelous may God continue to bless him and raise more people like him in the society.

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After I lost my legs my parents abandoned me – Tantala, the SA

Who are you?

I am Hon Akanmu Oluwaseun a.k.a. Tantala, Special Adviser on the Physically Challenged People to chairman Ogbomoso South local government, Hon Oyedokun Oyeniyi Timothy.

How old are you?

I am 35 years old. I have a wife and three children.

What happened to your legs?

After six months of birth, I was told I became sick, and this is what it resulted into.

What has been the experience?

My parents abandoned me. My mother went to remarry and my father did not take care of me, it was my grandma that took me under her care. I learned shoe making and I now have a shop at Oritamerin, Ogbomoso, opposite Laogun Filling Station.

What can you say of Onireti?

He is my boss, I thank Hon Segun Ogunwuyi too, the Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, he been there for me for long and also Hon Oyedokun Oyeniyi Timothy, OOT, they have been taking care for me. That is the reason I am given an appointment as S.A. on People with Disabilities.

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Onireti’s humility endears him to me today – Chairman PLWDs

What is your name and what can you say about Onireti?

My name is Adebayo Adewale, chairman of Association of Physically Challenged People Ogbomoso chapter. I have been hearing of Hon Onireti but l never got to know him. But seeing him today, l can see he is humble and is a lover of persons living with disabilities.

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Onireti is a natural lover of humanity, not because he’s a politician – Hon Mrs. Oluwakemi Alabi Oloriagba l

Oloriagba l is the Secretary Oyo State Pacesetter Transport Service Board.

What can you say about what Onireti has done today?

This is a massive thing. May God bless his pocket for his initiatives. Two days ago, he also did educational empowerment for admission seekers and undergraduates. We commend his efforts. May God grant him his heart desires.

Why do you think he is doing all these things?

Humanity first. Whatever, whoever has the love of the people is lover of humanity. Like our governor Engr Seyi Makinde also, when he did TESCOM recruitment, you could see every segment was considered including the physically challenged and not based on politics. Those who have the love of the people at heart, you know them by what they do. If somebody can do this for the physically challenged, there is nothing he cannot do for people if he gets into position.

But why is it that only those with political bent usually initiate programmes like these? What can you say about this?

Before you reap you sow, those who don’t do it may feel they don’t want anything. But irrespective of that, giving is innate, it is in the blood. So, it’s not about politics alone, it’s about humanity. Whoever loves others as God commanded is he who gives to the people. So, I don’t want to see it like that, after all, there are politicians who have been in positions for like 12 years and l don’t see anything in terms of helping people he has done (l don’t want to mention names). But whoever gives has something to do for the people. Philanthropism is different from politics.

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We’ll not stop – Onireti

“if I dont’ do it someone else would do it. I express my gratitude to the Beautiful Gate Handicap Centre, Jos, Plateau state. If we need 1, 000 wheelchairs, they will give us, we thank them for the opportunity they have given to Ogbomoso. This is not about politics, we accommodate everyone who showed up.”

About the situation of Ogbomoso, he said, “We don’t like the situation of things, but I am sure things will take a turn for the better. On my part, I will not stop by the grace of God, we will continue to give hope in our own little way. I urge today’s beneficiaries to always strive hard to become important people in life.”

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