Our attention has been drawn to a viral social media video in which a double amputee alleged that the mobility aids flagged off by His Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo, were not truly distributed to persons with disabilities in Kogi State and that the process was not genuine.
This allegation is false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality of what took place.
The distribution exercise was conducted publicly, transparently, and in an open environment. It was not a secret event. It was attended by government officials, disability stakeholders, community representatives, and beneficiaries from across the state.
Over 500 persons with disabilities were carefully selected across Kogi State — not limited to Kogi Central alone — to benefit from the intervention. Those who were physically present at the venue received various categories of mobility aids based on their specific needs. These included:
Different types of Wheelchairs
Arm crutches
Elbow crutches
Walking Sticks
White canes for persons who are visually impaired or blind
Walking sticks, Sun Protection Cream for Albinism and other assistive devices
Beyond mobility aids, the support extended further:
Each beneficiary who received mobility aids was given ₦50,000 as transportation support to enable them to safely convey their equipment home.
Over 200 persons with disabilities received ₦200,000 each as business support grants.
Several others received ₦100,000 each to strengthen and expand their small-scale enterprises.
These interventions were rea
l, documented, and verifiable.
For the sake of transparency and accountability, we are confident that a comprehensive list of beneficiaries including their names, local government areas, and contact details can be made available publicly for independent verification. This will allow members of the public, civil society groups, and even critics to directly contact beneficiaries and confirm receipt of the mobility aids and financial support.
Furthermore, physical verification can be conducted across the state East, West, and Central not just in one senatorial district. Beneficiaries are living witnesses. The mobility aids are visible. The businesses supported are operational. Facts remain facts.
It is therefore deeply concerning that such a serious allegation would be made without proper verification. Advocacy must be grounded in truth, responsibility, and unity. While everyone has the right to speak, public statements especially those capable of discrediting a statewide empowerment initiative must be carefully verified before being shared.
As persons with disabilities, we must not allow emotions, assumptions, or incomplete information to guide our public reactions. Our strength lies in solidarity, informed engagement, and constructive criticism — not in spreading narratives that may undermine genuine progress.
At this juncture, I also wish to advise the online publisher known as EBIRA Icon (spelled E-B-I-R-A Icon) to uphold professional responsibility in content publication. Media platforms play a powerful role in shaping public opinion. Publishing unverified allegations capable of maligning the government of the day and discrediting verified beneficiaries does not promote accountability it fuels misinformation.
We respectfully urge E-B-I-R-A Icon and other online publishers to:
Verify claims before publication
Seek official clarification when in doubt
Avoid sensationalizing unconfirmed narratives
Promote responsible journalism in the interest of public trust
Constructive engagement is welcome. Misinformation is not.
Kogi State has taken a visible step toward disability inclusion and empowerment. Rather than diminish these efforts with unverified claims, we should collectively focus on strengthening monitoring mechanisms, improving future distributions, and ensuring even broader reach in subsequent phases.
Truth is verifiable. Facts are traceable. Beneficiaries are reachable.
Let us build our advocacy on evidence, not assumption.
Signed:
Hon. Yakubu Nazir Abdulhakeem
Executive Secretary, Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs
