ALDIN condemns discriminatory practice against disability

The Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) has condemned the discriminatory practice against Persons With Disability (PWD). Recall that there was an unpalatable news about a candidate, Ms. Precious Umoru, who was offered admission into the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, after she had meritoriously passed her entrance test, but upon resumption, she was told to withdraw, because, according to the authorities, re-assessment reveals she could not withstand the physical rigours of the midwifery training owing to her weak gait and tremors.

The association warned that any discriminatory practice targeted to disqualify Ms. Umoru of the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences from her admission status won’t be condoned.

ALDIN National President, Ikem Uchegbulam, in a statement, said the association has followed the case keenly since the news broke out and have put machinery in place to legally redress the matter should the institution concerned insist on its position to deprive the candidate admission on the basis of her disability.

ALDIN noted that traditional perception of disability no longer hold sway in the world, and therefore, discrimination on the basis of disability as in this case, cannot be justified both morally and legally.

Citing Section 1 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and the relevant provisions of the recently passed Edo State disability Law, ALDIN said it’s prohibits discrimination of any kind on the basis of disability, and therefore, cautioned that Ms. Umoru is amply protected under the ambit of the disability law, and thus, could not be subject to any disability or disqualification as attempted by the authority of her school.

The association, however, commended the prompt intervention of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who ordered a re-assessment of Ms Umoru, to begin her training at the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, Benin City, the Edo State capital.