News

Reps Invite KFC Over Alleged Discriminatory Treatment Of Person With Disability

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has invited fast food restaurant operators, Kentucky Fried Chicken also known as KFC over alleged ill treatment of Mr Adebola Daniel, a Person With Disability PWD and son of former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel.

Chairman House Committee on Disabilities, Rep. Bashiru Ayinla disclosed this on Tuesday, at a press conference with journalists at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Rep. Ayinla, who represents Oshodi/Isolo-1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State, said the committee will ensure that those found to have breached the Disability Act are punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that Mr. Adebola, who was on a wheelchair was said to have been denied access to KFC outlet within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos last week by the manager quoted as saying, “No wheelchair allowed.”

Speaking on the development, the lawmaker said, “We have invited KFC and there will be an investigation which will be based on House rules.”

He said: “The discriminatory incident, highlighted by Mr Daniel’s public account, sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in Nigeria.

“Mr Daniel, a wheelchair user, faced humiliation when he was refused entry to the KFC outlet, with the manager stating, ‘No wheelchair allowed.’ This treatment is unacceptable and goes against the principles of inclusivity and respect and it is a violation against Disability Act.”

According to Ayinla, the son of the ex-governor and serving senator, Gbenga Daniel, recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel, saying, “Being disabled often rolls over my spirit, leaving behind a trail of shattered dignity and forgotten humanity. Nowhere more so than in Nigeria.”

Rep. Ayinla stated that the denial of persons with disabilities access to public spaces is not only disrespectful “But also undermines ongoing efforts to implement the Disability Act.”

“The case of Mr Adebola Daniel is one in millions of other unreported cases of such abuses and injustices against people with disabilities. This will no longer be tolerated by the governments at all levels. Any establishments within the shore of our country irrespective of owners’ status should take note. Enough is enough!

“The Discrimination against People with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018, passed by the National Assembly, aims to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities.

“However, compliance with this Act has been lacking since the grace period ended in January”, he added.

Rep. Ayinla pledged the committee’s readiness to engage with communities to kick start the full implementation of the Disability Act.

“Key provisions such as access to public buildings, employment quotas, and welfare promotion for persons with disabilities must be enforced to ensure their rights are upheld”, he added.

He further called on State governments to domesticate the Disability Act, following the lead of Lagos State, noting that a sustained awareness of the public would go a long way in protecting the rights of persons living with one form of disability or the other.

Fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the briefing, Ayinla rejected the notion that the Committee is speaking up solely because the son of a highly-placed citizen is involved.

However he noted: ‘If it takes Daniel’s son to make our members get access to public places and make the work of our committee known, so be it.”

News

Tinubu to establish child protection, development agency

Published

46 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

ADMIN

By Francesca Hangeior

President Bola Tinubu has stated that the Federal Government is taking concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child, even as he said plans have been concluded to establish a Child Protection and Development Agency to coordinate all issues affecting Nigerian children in a unified and focused manner.

Tinubu spoke on Thursday during the first regional meeting of the Africa Pathfinder Countries of the Global Alliance on Ending Violence Against Children.

The event was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The president was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Tinubu said his administration is taking concrete steps to protect the dignity and future of every Nigerian child.

“Our legal frameworks reflect our conviction. From the Child Rights Act to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, Nigeria has laid down the statutory foundation for the protection of children.

“But legislation alone does not shield the vulnerable — it is the will behind those laws, and the systems that enforce them, that make the difference.

“That is why our national strategy also embraces prevention and early intervention.

“We are strengthening families and communities through programmes that promote positive parenting, challenge harmful social norms, and provide targeted support to vulnerable households. But we must be honest with ourselves. We cannot protect the child by merely reciting the anthems of their struggles or romanticising their vulnerability, Tinubu said.

He stated that the real hope lies in action — concrete, deliberate action.

“Our commitment must run deep, reaching into the very architecture of our education and health systems. This is the soul of our human capital development strategy,” he said.

Tinubu added that every Nigerian child should grow and learn in a safe environment.

“We aim to ensure that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. This is not simply a policy objective; it is a moral obligation.

“We are investing in safe schools and embedding socio-emotional learning into our national curriculum.

“We are rolling out the National Guidelines on Alternative Care to ensure that even children without parental care are raised in love, safety, and stability,” he said.

News

Just In: JAMB releases 2025 UTME results, withholds 39,834 over misconduct

Published

56 minutes ago

May 9, 2025

Admin

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, on Friday announced the release of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, results.

The board disclosed that it is withholding the results of 39,834 candidates over issues relating to examination irregularities.

Recall that over 1.9 million applicants participated in the just-concluded exercise.

JAMB also disclosed that 80 suspects across the country are currently under interrogation for examination fraud, with Anambra State leading the pack with 14 suspects.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, stated this on Friday while officially releasing the 2025 UTME.

He also disclosed that while 467 underage candidates met the prescribed minimum score, 50 were engaged in cheating scandal.

A press conference to this effect is ongoing.

Details coming…