Governor Diri Accords Top Priority to Disability Matters, Says Bishop

Bishop Akponanabofa is a member of Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, and later became the Acting Chairman of the state chapter. He became the Chief Co-ordinator to the Governor on Disability Matters (Bayelsa West), and began developing interest in politics.

He was later appointed as the Welfare Chairman to the Governor on Disability Matters during the last administration. He talked with BAYELSA STRIDES’ Tracey Owugah on his desire to offer service and state government’s passion for the welfare of the disabled. Excerpts;

How did you attain this position of Special Assistant to the Governor?

It is by the grace of God, because without God one cannot make any progress. Just as ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was in Bayelsa State before he became President of Nigeria, it is the same handiwork of God.

I am a member of Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, and laterI became the Acting Chairman of the state chapter. Not long after, I became the Chief Co-ordinator to the Governor on Disability Matters (Bayelsa West), and began developing interest in politics.

I’m sure that my activities led to my appointment as the Welfare Chairman to the Governor on Disability Matters during the last administration.

Can you tell us a bit about your relationship with your fellow disabled persons?

Well, I don’t have to blow my trumpet because it is very obvious. When I was the chairman of the association, the disabled society recognised and loved me because I was more of a servant leader than just a mere leader; meaning I was always available when my attention was needed, and we always worked in harmony to achieve our common goals. For visits to Government House, I educated my colleagues, made them understand the procedure and how to gain to get the governor to grant us audience. That endeared me to the entire disabled community and made them restore confidence in me. Because I place their issues as top priority, it has drawn more of them closer to me. As we speak now, some of them are waiting for me at home.

What does the name Bishop mean to the disabled in Bayelsa State?

I know Bishop as a Christian name. The day the Bishop visited Ojobo was the day my father was named Bishop but my first name is Akponanabofa which means ‘nobody knows this world but God’. My surname is Bishop and because it is a Christian name, the lifestyle of the person radiates love and attracts more people to come closer. It makes me have sympathy for my fellow disabled. If I’m in the position to help, I do so even if it means sacrificing my last money because I care about their happiness.

A lot of disabled persons see it as if life itself is two worlds of difference, and feel they are stigmatised because of their condition, is that right?

I can say that is not correct because most disabled live more worthy and fulfilled lives of which most able persons cannot be compared to them. An example is one Omoya from Opolo, who lives a comfortable life. He has built a house and owns other houses occupied by tenants. He was a self-made man before he became a special assistant to the governor. Somebody of that nature cannot feel self pity because he is in a position to lend a helping hand to other disabled and even able persons. The said person is also the Chairman, Opolo-Ogbia Motor Park and he often assists people who cannot afford transport fares. For some other disabled persons, because of hardship and the manner in which they conduct their lives, make people think all disabled are the same.

Why do you think a lot of disabled persons cannot engage themselves in meaningful ventures that would bring them a healthy income, rather prefer to go begging for alms?

It’s rare to see a Bayelsa State disabled begging for alms. I say this without fear of contradiction as a one-time acting chairman of this great association in the state. Our members have stopped begging in Bayelsa State, because we did not allow our brothers and sisters to go on the streets to beg. There is an avenue for them to lay complaints to their leaders, because every local government has leaders and people who can manage on their own. For example, someone from my local government approaches me for assistance because his wife just had a baby, I would assist with whatever I have. If you classify that as begging, that’s the type that obtains here. That’s why you can’t find our people on the streets like in other states. Any disabled person you find on our streets is certainly not a Bayelsa State indigiene. Our members would rather reach out to an appointee known to them from their community.

In your own opinion, what contributions have the disabled persons made in politics in Bayelsa State, and Nigeria, in general?

It is very clear. I can testify that a disabled person from Southern Ijaw, named David participated in the elections and along the line he was one of the people who were arrested and accused of hijacking ballot papers. That was a disabled man who competed alongside an able person. The only difference is that some of our brothers were not given the opportunity to perform – they are always afraid and if when eventually get involved, they do well because people often show them love. On my part,, the day I was the coordinating in my unit, because of the cordial relationship and impact I had on the people from my compound, they insisted that they would vote for the candidate I recommend’
It is the same for everyone, when you are good to people around you, they develop confidence in you, especially when you are involved in politics. The goodwill you have established will work to your advantage.

Do you think the past administrations actually impacted on the welfare of the physically-challenged persons?

Yes, that was the reason for the inauguration of the Welfare Committee to the Governor on Disability Matters, in which I was the chairman with persons from each local government. I represented Ekeremor, while someone from Sagbama was the Secretary. That checked the system of road block as a means to express our greviance, in order to have audience with government during Christmas. An appropriate procedure has now been adopted which involved passing a message across through the principal officers, and immediately the governor receives our message and grants approval, we peacefully go to Government House and pick up our package without any protest. It was during the second tenure of the Seriake-led administration when I became the Welfare Chairman that things changed. Change is inevitable, so we had to change our method as we felt that protest wasn’t the best option.

How did you get the inspiration to do things differently?

Well, for me I always learn from good examples. I noticed how other organizations like the IYC operate. They adopt new systems when a new government takes over, meaning that the previous method was not so favourable and changes needed to be made. So, that’s why during my tenure, I discouraged protest as a means of communicating with the government and encouraged correspondence or going through the security agencies especially the Directorate of State Services.

Can you tell me a bit about the activities of the disabled persons in the last governorship elections?

In the last governorship election, even people without disabilities belong to different parties and so it is with the disabled community, where different people belong to different parties and for me, I belong to the Peoples Democratic Party, and that’s where I can talk about. We arrived in my village two days to the elections to mobilize, educate and convince the people to vote for our party. The only area a disabled person cannot participate during an election is in thugery, but in every other aspect we are capable.

How do we expect of you in your position as Special Assistant to the Governor on Disabled Matters?

For the efficient and effective performance of my duty as a Special Assistant to the Governor on Disabled Matters, I would suggest the government provides us with an office where someone will be seated to give full attention to our matters, then there will be no issue of the disabled carrying out protests. We are also appealing to the government to make funds available for person living with disabilities through the Office of the Special Assistant, so that there will be funds to meet the needs of the disabled community in Bayelsa State.

Are you talking about monthly overhead?

Exactly, because the major challenge facing us is finance to run our daily activities, and sometimes for further education. While I was the chairman I was asked why our leaders haven’t met with the government to discuss a monthly stipend for people living with disabilities? So, I then suggested that we first conduct a census to know our number, in order to ensure we are co-ordinated before government to take it seriously.

For the Christmas package, it is no longer delayed. Even during the COVID 19 pandemic, there were testimonies of the government getting food to us and, these are part of the positive changes we have been experiencing and it is very gratifying. I’ve heard positive remarks about this administration appointing thirteen special assistants from amongst us, and I assure them that I believe by the second tenure the governor might appoint over twenty.

You mean from among the disabled?

Yes. I believe that the government would also look into the development centres for persons with disabilities in the rural areas so they can be carried along. The governor is a man for people with disabilities, so he will definitely do it for us.

There is a common belief that most disabled persons are violent and aggressive. What’s your take on that?

No, I totally disagree with that because the way you relate with a person with disability matters a lot. Even an able-bodied person gets offended when discriminate against him, and so it is with a disabled person. They are not troublesome, aggressive or violent in anyway. All they wish is to be treated fairly.

One year down the line, how do you see the Governor Diri’s administration in the handling of matters relating to the disabled?

I can say that the present administration is one for persons with disabilities because Governor Douye Diri accords top priority to matters relating to persons with disability. During the height of the COVID 19 pandemic, we resolved to write to the government requesting to be separated from the able-bodied group, so we could get a fair share of the palliatives, but even before we got the message across we were told that our packages were special, and that we would be called upon when it was time for distribution, and so it was.

If a government that is just starting has this kind of mindset for persons with disabilities, then it is a government for us. I am not saying this because I am an appointee, but for the things the governor is doing and which I have witnessed. We can see the changes in the way persons with disability are being treated, especially in Government House. As far as we are concerned, Governor Douye Diri’s administration is one for persons with disabilities.

Generally, as a Bayelsan, what is your assessment of the present administration’s one year in office?

There are several ongoing projects, particularly the road constructions and rehabilitations. The last time I travelled to Ofoni, I noticed that the road to Ekeremor is progressing. We went to some Southern Ijaw communities to check some of the projects and they were very much in order. The roads from Igbogene leading to Bayelsa Palm and the Glory Land Drive leading to Onopa are also ongoing.

So, I believe this one of Governor Douye Diri’s administration has been productive, and if the first year was not plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic and court cases, by now, he would have turned Bayelsa State to a mini London. As far as I know, this government is a blessing to the people of Bayelsa State.

We can see how beautiful the Tombia roundabout area has become and the unnecessary traffic jam has been eliminated. The entrance to Amassoma and Imiringi roads now experience free flow of traffic. Governor Diri is working, and you don’t need anyone to tell you before you know.

Click here>>> Children Arts Workshop Carnival and Exhibition