Former Kano State Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has raised concern over what he described as the growing neglect of persons living with disabilities (PWDs), saying it is contributing to the rising number of beggars across northern Nigeria.
Ganduje made the remark on Friday in Abuja during the 10th anniversary documentary premiere of Let’s Talk Humanity, an organisation focused on education for the deaf and blind.
He said many PWDs are being sidelined in society, leaving them with little or no support, a situation he noted is pushing some into street begging for survival.
He said, “In the North, persons with disabilities are relegated to the background, that is why we have an array of beggars across the northern parts of this country day and night.”
The former governor stressed that with proper investment in inclusive education, skills development and assistive technology, many PWDs could become self reliant and contribute meaningfully to society instead of depending on begging.
He called on governments, development partners and individuals to prioritise disability inclusion, adding that empowering PWDs would help reduce poverty and social challenges in the region.
Neglect of persons living with disabilities fuelling army of beggars in North – Ganduje
