MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF VISUALLY IMPAIRED OF NIGERIA-MAVIN CELEBRATES NIGERIAN WORKERS
May 1, 2023 Fausiat Salako-Sanni
The Muslim Association of Visually Impaired of Nigeria-MAVIN is seizing this auspicious moment to felicitate with all workers in Nigeria on this year’s occasion of May Day.
This is made known in the statement issued today by the President, Muslim Association of Visually Impaired of Nigeria (MAVIN), Alhaji AbdulWasi’ Salaudeen and exclusively made available to KIIN MEDIA in Lagos.
The statement reads as thus:
“Greatest Nigerian workers, today is indeed your day. A day set aside for the recognition of the pivotal roles played by workers in lubricating the socio-economic status of any society, and you really deserve to be celebrated for your indispensability as well as contribution to the productive and progressive lives of the nation.”
“You defy all odds and hardship, including unfavourable working conditions, in order to fulfill your own part of the contract deal with your employers, in spite of the often incommensurate- reward.”
Quoting the leadership of the Labour Union in Nigeria, “It is our relentless toil that till the farmlands, dig the mines, lay the rail tracks, build the cities, construct and run the factories, and provide the services that make our communities’ ‘,. This assertion is apt, and perfectly captures the sine qua non roles of workers in the community.
“Be rest assured that, we, at the Muslim Association of Visually Impaired of Nigeria, MAVIN, stand in solidarity with you today as you mark your day. We feel your pains, share your agitations, and sympathise with your noble cause. We are with you in every step towards demanding your due entitlements.”
“Fellow Nigerians, congratulations on the recently concluded general elections in our dear country, Nigeria. We all deserve the accolades for successfully comporting ourselves before, during and after the elections in a peaceful, accommodating and responsible manner, with considerable due regard for our diverse ethnicity, religious difference and political plurality.”
He stared further, “It is our belief that we will in no time overcome the minor regrettable challenges we have witnessed as fallouts of the general elections, and emerge stronger and more united as a people towards a greater country that we desire.”
“We would like to seize this opportunity to also congratulate the President-elect, as well as all other winners of the various electoral contests across board on their victory. We will not hesitate to quickly add that the victory you have earned from the elections should not by any means be taken for granted,, but to be seen as a weighty responsibility which the Nigerian electorates have foisted on you.”
The onus lies on you to reciprocate this priceless gesture, by not only being magnanimous in victory, but also live up to the responsibilities of your offices, in order to justify the mandate given you.
As you prepare to be sworn in later in the month, we want to urge you to roll up your sleeves ahead of the enormity of tasks lying in wait for you. Nigerians yearn for a goal-oriented and purposeful leadership that would match words with actions, and translate promises into economic prosperity and a positive social transformation, in the overall interests of the ordinary citizens.
One of the most important tasks ahead, as an agenda for the incoming government at all levels, is the need for a paradigm shift in the approaches to handling matters relating to Persons Living With Disabilities in the society. This particular task is not only pressing, but very urgent, as it has suffered serious neglect over the years with dire consequences on the target beneficiaries.
The appropriate laws have been passed, but sadly, the implementation and enforcement have been given only lip service in most private and public places, including government establishments across the country.
One major aspect of the Disability Law, which has direct relevance to today’s celebration, is the provision of job opportunities for qualified PLWDs in the society. Closely related to this, is the economic empowerment of all disabled with a view to entrenching an all-inclusive social security for all citizens in the country, without discrimination on the basis of physical disability.
This is an opportunity that has eluded majority of PLWDs for too long, while the very scanty chances afforded them have been done as a mere act of gesture by respective governments, rather than a matter of social obligation
At this juncture, there is need to point out that we are quite aware of the usual disparaging attitude and dispositions of the general public towards PLWDs, in their quest for equal opportunity and social inclusiveness in all ramifications. We condemn all discriminatory innuendos and social apathy targeted against PLWDs in the society. We are bold to assert that people in this constituency have over and over again proven their capabilities and competence in discharging job specifications, even more effectively compared to their able-bodied counterparts. And many And more are still mentally and intellectually prepared to take up any official assignment given the needed opportunity.
In the spirit of today’s celebration, we wish to once again appeal to all concerned captains of industries, Chief Executives officers and all employers of labour, to give Person Living With Disabilities the chance to prove their mettle in their individual chosen careers, and also provide the much needed economic empowerment to those among them that have acquired one vocational skill or another. All that is desired is the enabling environment and the working tools to perform. We must not fail to add here that, just as other able-bodied counterparts, PLWDs have equally had cause to work under unfavourable conditions and have not disappointed their employers in most cases, even though this is not an ideal condition of service for any worker, let alone PLWDs.
We want to particularly implore all newly elected political office holders to take the affairs of PLWDs with the most desired attention and seriousness, in order to harness their hidden talents and capabilities towards nation building.
“We are requesting that incoming administrations should, as a matter of necessity, engage representatives of PLWDS from time to time and seek their inputs in decision making and policy formulation, not only in areas specific to disability matters, but also in the general matters affecting them as citizens of Nigeria. This way, the real interests of PLWDs would be adequately articulated and the appropriate policies would be comprehensively formulated and effectively implemented to achieve the intended goal.”
“To fellow PLWDs, this is a wake up call to you all to live up to expectations in your various duty posts. For those that have been given the opportunity to prove their capacity and ability, you are no doubt the ambassadors of the entire community of the disabled in your respective place of work. Your right to be employed does not supersede that of others, rather, you have only been privileged among several other equally qualified persons in your category. Putting in mind the peculiar environment we live in, where people in your constituency are often hastily stereotyped, it is pertinent to be circumspect of your actions and inactions, especially on duty, in order not to paint a negative image of your colleagues in the eyes of the public.”
He however, urged them to unleash their full potential on your job, and be diligent and hardworking to their utmost. It is not only doable, it is achievable. Evidence abounds of this fact, and you have no excuse not to keep up the flag flying.
“Once again, we congratulate all Nigerians on today’s occasion, and wish Nigerian workers in particular a fruitful celebration.”
Long Live Nigerian Workers.
Long Live The Federal Republic of Nigeria. Solidarity Forever.
