Abia Official Urges Action Against Discrimination

The chairman of Abia State Commission for The Welfare Of Disabled Persons, David Anyaele, has said everyone must speak against discrimination at all levels.

Anyaele spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend in Umuahia, the state capital yesterday to mark the 2025 United Nations Zero Discrimination Day.

“To be discriminated against is one of the worst things you can do to treat an individual without dignity. When one is discriminated against opportunities are lost.

“When opportunities are lost, vulnerability increases and the possibility of either exposure either to poverty, poor health outcomes,  exposure to ignorance and illiteracy will increase.

“And when such increases you discover the wellbeing of individuals have been bridged. That is how bad it is. I have suffered discrimination and still suffer it till today,” he said.

According to the chairman, everyone must understand that when one is discriminated against, the ability to participate in equal business with others diminishes.

Speaking on the significance of the day, the special assistant to the state governor on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), noted that it is a day to remind all of the dangers of discrimination.

“Discrimination is one of the greatest barriers affecting PWDs and their families mostly in Africa and the country in particular where people are denied opportunity, excluded, and isolated by reason of their disability,” he said.

He added that the moment the society addresses the attitude, every other factor that constitutes impediments against PWDs from maximising their potential will end because it is a behaviour of human beings.