By Lanre Oloyede
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has been appointed as the Patron on Youth and People with Disabilities by the National Ngizim Youth Forum, Yobe State Chapter.
The appointment, which took effect on May 22, 2024, underscores his dedication to promoting the welfare of youths and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) across Nigeria.
The Ngizim people, an ancient tribe predominantly found in Yobe State, with some members in Jigawa, Sokoto, and Niger States, have a rich cultural heritage.
The core objectives of the National Ngizim Youth Forum are to foster unity, peace, and progress among its members both in Yobe State and beyond.
The appointment was formally presented in a brief ceremony attended by the Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Seidu Mohammed Guza, and the Secretary-General, Prince Abali Muhammad Atiyayi and other notable members of the Forum’s executive.
In his remarks, Hon. Guza praised Hon. Abba Isa’s leadership qualities and his integrity, highlighting his significant role in the disability community nationwide.
He said: “We are here to present this appointment letter to the SSA as the Patron of the Forum. As a leader of the disability community in the nation, he is a man of the people, a man of integrity. This is very important to us. He is a part and parcel of the forum. As our Patron, we are expecting from him development and progress.”
The official appointment letter expressed the Forum’s confidence in Hon. Abba Isa’s ability to contribute meaningfully to their mission. It read in part:
“We are delighted to inform you of your appointment as PATRON ON YOUTH AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES with effect from 22 May, 2024. As a respected and esteemed member of our community, we believe your involvement with our organization will greatly enhance our mission. Your wisdom, experience, influence, track records, and dedication in selfless service to humanity will undoubtedly inspire and motivate our team to achieve greater heights. We are confident that your contributions will make a significant impact on our organization and the community we serve. We look forward to working closely with you and benefiting from your expertise and insight.”
In his acceptance speech, Hon. Abba Isa expressed his gratitude for the honor, noting that it aligns with the mandate given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to collaborate with various organizations to ensure that their policies and programs incorporate the needs and perspectives of PWDs.
The Senior Presidential aide said: “Honestly, I feel overwhelmed in the sense that it is in line with the mandate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave me to liaise with different organizations and associations to make sure that their policies, plans, and programs are in line with the inculcation of the requirements and perspectives of Persons With Disabilities,”.
He emphasized the significance of his new role, particularly in advancing the inclusion of PWDs, noting that a substantial portion of the PWD community falls within the youth demographic. “National Ngizim Youth Forum is a youth organization, and if you look at it, up to 40% of PWDs are in the category of youths, and for the purpose of inclusion, it is important that I accept this responsibility,” he added.
The Presidential aide assured the Forum of his commitment to using his position as Patron to uplift the organization, bring development to the lives of youths in Yobe State, especially those with disabilities, and contribute to the broader objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
He also highlighted the historical significance of the Ngizim people in Yobe State, noting their esteemed cultural heritage and the presence of a first-class emir within the community.
“Ngizim has an age-long history in Yobe State; they have a first-class emir, and they are under one local government. One of the local government areas is cosmopolitan, which is Potiskum,” the SSAP remarked.
The appointment of Hon. Abba Isa as Patron of the National Ngizim Youth Forum is seen as a strategic move that will further strengthen the Forum’s efforts in promoting unity, peace, and progress, while also ensuring that the voices of PWDs are heard and respected within the community.
