The Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) has warned that any discriminatory practice targeted to disqualify Ms. Precious Umoru of the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences from her admission status will not be condoned. In a press statement issued at the ALDIN headquarter, the National President, Barr. Ikem Uchegbulam stated that the Association has followed the case keenly since the news broke out and have set machineries 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.
Recall that late last week 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 rigors of the midwifery training owing to her weak gait and tremors.
Taken aback by this unfortunate trend in a 21st century, where abundant technological advancement has obviated attendant functional limitations to the greatest extent possible, ALDIN noted that traditional perception of disability no longer hold sway in our world and therefore discrimination on the basis of disability as in this case, cannot be justified both morally and legally.
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In this light, ALDIN drew the attention of the authorities concerned and the general public to the provision of Section 1 of the “Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, and the relevant provisions of the recently passed Edo State disability Law, which prohibits discrimination of any kind on the basis of disability, and therefore cautioned that Ms. Precious 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.
In its press release, ALDIN however commended the prompt intervention of the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who appropriately ordered a re-assessment of Ms Precious Umoru, to begin her training at the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences, Benin City, the Edo State capital. The press statement concluded by reiterating that the provision of the Disability Act is sacrosanct on this matter, and that ALDIN will not accept anything short of the subsistence of the said admission for the candidate concerned, else the court must hear the matter.
Signed
Justice Christopher
Director, Media and Publicity
