Plight Of The Physically Challenged

The right of every Nigerian has been enshrined in the 1999 constitution. According to section 25 that deals on citizenship, the following  persons are citizens of Nigeria by birth. Every person born in Nigeria before the date of independence, either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents belong or belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria, provided that a person shall not become a citizen of Nigeria by virtue of this section if neither of his parents nor any of his grandparents was born in Nigeria. It is clear that Nigerians know themselves and know what they can do to support the physically challenged in the country.
The same 1999 constitution gives Nigerians the right to freedom from discrimination in Nigeria. For many years now, the physically challenged Nigerians are facing severe discrimination in their families and the society. The place of the physically challenged in the constitution is silent. The constitution covers all Nigerians and there is no specific provision on the right of the physically challenged in Nigeria. The Nigerian State has not made any provision on the protection of rights of the physically challenged Nigerians. They are Nigerians by birth. But the constitution has not protected them in the area of job provision, security and movement. In Nigeria today, the physically challenged are denied job opportunities even when the zeal to work is there.
It is so pathetic that no legislation has been enacted to protect the right of the physically challenged. And the rights activists or human rights organisations are concentrating on fighting for the right of the physically challenged. In Nigeria, the physically challenged are not given their pride of place as Nigerians. Some buildings deny them entry as there is no provision to ease their entry like it is done overseas. In some countries of the world, the physically challenged citizens are properly catered for by the governments. There is a provision for incentive and social welfare care.
In road construction, there is also a provision for their walk way. But in this part of the world left to struggle in the harsh environment with others. This is a serious oversight.  The employers of labour also deny them employment because of their predicament. The denial of social guarantees to the disabled people in Nigeria is a crime against God. The discrimination against physically challenged Nigerians should be checked by enacting laws to stop the trend.
It is worthy to note that some physically challenged are talented and creative. And yet they are not given opportunity by government and corporate organisations to display their potentials. There is a common saying that there is ability in disability. It is true in the sense that some of them are creative.
Today, many of them are educated in different disciplines of their endeavours. But it is worrisome that they are neglected by the society. The fundamental human rights of the physically challenged are ignored by the government. It is worthy to remember that in the 2012 Paralympics, the disabled athletes made Nigeria proud. Today, the level .of stigmatisation against the physically challenged individuals is heart- breaking as a result of denial and dehumanisation. The less-privileged people are human beings and citizens of this country. So much has been said of human rights without focus on the physically challenged.
In Nigeria, it is high time the physically challenged were empowered and their rights protected. The review of the 1999 constitution did not support the right of the deformed. And they form some reasonable percent of the population. There is no way such a people should be dehumanised by reason of law. Therefore, as the constitution is being reviewed and amended, the need to include the rights of such deprived citizens cannot be over-emphasised. Indeed, for many years, the physically challenged citizens of Nigeria have been ostracised from the activities of government and some people of Nigeria. It is time for the various agenda of government to recognise the right of such citizens.
The on-going constitution amendment should also focus on the physically challenged Nigerians, who are often denied social responsibility. The families of such people should not undermine the interest of the physically challenged no matter the circumstances. Indeed, it is worthy to note that the only surviving member of Jonathan’s family in the Bible was Mephibosheth who was lame. The lame Mephibosheth was taken to an isolated land called Lodebar as his abode.
When King David assumed the throne of Israel as a king, he summoned a meeting to know if there was any body left in the house of Saul. It was quickly  reported to King David that the only survivor was a cripple who cannot walk except somebody helps him. King David did not consider such as an excuse to deprive the physically challenged Mephibosheth his right. He quickly ordered his return to the palace in Jerusalem. And he was brought to the palace and his right restored to him.
Therefore, in the planning of social amenities in the country the physically challenged should be carried along. The government and people of Nigeria should enshrine their rights in the constitution. There is need to promote the right to freedom of the physically challenged people in Nigeria. For too long a time they have been neglected and relegated to the background without care. The policies of government on education and employment should pay priority attention to such people. It is clear and true that some of them are very talented. Therefore, their right should be promoted to give them a sense of belonging in the Nigerian State. Help the physically challenged to survive in Nigeria.

Ogwuonuonu resides in Port Harcourt.