IMMEDIATE past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has called on state governors, development partners, and philanthropists to prioritise investment in Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as a strategic move to curb street begging in Northern Nigeria.

He made the call during the 10th anniversary celebration and  documentary premiere of the Let’s Talk Humanity Initiative (LTH), an organisation dedicated to the educational needs of the deaf and blind, Friday in Abuja.

Dr Ganduje lamented the historical neglect of the physically challenged pointing that this has led to an explosion of destitution across the region.

He said that “In the northern part of this country, people with disabilities are relegated to the background. That is why we have an array of beggars across the North day and night.

“Some sleep under bridges, some sleep on the road; this is a sorry story. But looking at what we saw this afternoon, you can see there is a silent revolution.”

The former Governor emphasised that modern technological advancements have made the education of those with special needs more accessible than ever, suggesting that with the right support, they can transition from being dependents to becoming employers of labour and geniuses in various fields of endeavour.

Ganduje observed that societal neglect has deeply affected the psyche of the disabled.

“Yes, they are neglected because they are physically challenged. This has affected their motivation, they cannot even think they are human beings like others. But by unveiling this kind of programme, we are making them feel like any other member of our society.”

Also, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr Bernard M. Doro, argued that the inclusion of people with special needs is not an option but an obligation.

He called for a shift in how technology and infrastructure are developed in Nigeria to ensure inclusion.

“When we develop assistive devices or technology in general, this has to be done with people living with disabilities in mind.

‘We must move towards a future where accessibility is by design, moving away from retrofitting tools towards building universal platforms. Digital inclusion must be the priority here, Dr Doro adds.

The founder of *Let’s Talk Humanity*, Fatima Ganduje, revealed that her organisation has empowered 1,000 beneficiaries annually since 2015.

She noted that the initiative began at the Tudun Maliki Special School in Kano, where technology was used to unlock the educational potential of sensory impaired students.

Mrs Ganduje outlined an ambitious 10-year plan saying “Our projection is to establish a National Resource Centre for those with sensory impairment, to be able to tap into international knowledge and resources available in parts of the world that are much more developed than us when it comes to special needs.”

The event featured a keynote speech by Ibrahim Abdukabir, Vice Principal of the Tudun Maliki Special School, and was attended by senior government officials and experts in disability education, all of whom advocated for a move from intention to action in the quest for social inclusion.