The adage “there is ability in disability” has often characterised the breakthroughs of persons living with disabilities (PLWD) in various fields of human endeavour. Beyond the discourse of ability versus disability, another narrative that has gained traction in describing the remarkable achievements of PLWD is that of inspiration.
Across Nigeria, no less than a million persons living with blindness are in dire need of some form of urgent rehabilitation to enable them to live a productive and independent life again.
For over a decade now, just one national blindness and visual impairment survey has been carried out across the country. The survey, at the instance of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, shows that well over four million Nigerians are visually impaired. The country’s ineffective inclusive policy is however driving more of its blind population to beg for a living.
However, the story of Soliu Habeeb Babaoloye is best encapsulated within the realm of inspiration. How and why? There are layers to every achievement – from how it was accomplished to the reasons behind its pursuit. Wherever this story is told, under any circumstance, it never fails to leave people profoundly inspired and motivated.
In a society that has yet to fully integrate PLWD into all facets of life, breaking free from the shackles of marginalisation and segregation requires extraordinary effort. In a society that often measures success by position and affluence, the journey to the top is often seen as the survival of the fittest, regardless of ability or disability.
Born over 40 years ago in Ilorin to the family of Soliu Adebayo Akanbi of Dandakare compound in the Oju Ekun area, Soliu Habeeb Babaoloye attended Okelele Primary School and later Banni Community Secondary School.
Babaoloye has experienced life both with and without sight. According to him, these experiences have shaped his purpose, vision, and mission in life.
“I was not born blind. The issue with my eyes occurred when I was in SS2 in 1993. I woke up one day to find that one of my eyes was not feeling normal. My parents thought it was a normal thing until it became blocked, and I couldn’t see again,” he recounted.
For Babaoloye, it all began with one eye, and while he hoped for improvement, the second eye also became infected.
“I couldn’t see anymore and felt unwell. The second eye also became infected about five days after the first one. I later found myself in the hospital bed at the General Hospital in Ilorin, where they explained what had happened to me,” he said.
Despite numerous efforts to regain his sight, Babaoloye eventually accepted his fate and sought a way to adapt to his “second life”.
“My parents made several efforts on my behalf. They took me to Kaduna, Jos, Kaiama, and many other places in an attempt to restore my sight, but all proved futile.”
The second life and impact of special education
Initially, Babaoloye became less enthusiastic about life and education until someone who had attended a “special school” informed his parents that he could still receive an education despite his visual impairment.
“My parents were later encouraged to enrol me in a school for handicapped individuals, now known as a school for special needs. I attended the school here in Ilorin for rehabilitation and to learn how to use Braille – the system by which blind people read and write,” he said.
He later attended a vocational training centre for blind individuals in Ikeja, Lagos, in 1999.
“At the vocational school, I learned various crafts, including basket weaving, chair making, framing, bag making, and soap making. I spent a year there and left in 2000,” he added.
As expected in a society where PLWD are still finding their voice and place, getting married posed a significant challenge for Babaoloye. However, he eventually found happiness with a supportive partner who has borne him children, including twins.
His second life continued with its uncertainties. In 2007, he sat for the GCE WAEC exams. After much perseverance, he gained admission to Kwara State University, where he is currently studying Political Science.
Foray into politics and the desire to serve
Babaoloye’s foray into politics dates back to 1998. While his political drive predates his second life, the turning point for his political career came with the dawn of the fourth Republic.
“Although I had been involved in politics before, it was in 1998 that I decided to start taking action based on my own convictions,” he recalled.
His leadership instincts and qualities saw him become involved in political structures at the community, ward, and local levels. He was formerly a member of the All Peoples Party (APP) before joining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“I served as an executive at the local and ward levels before the All Progressives Congress (APC) afforded me the opportunity to become the Kwara State leader for physically challenged individuals in 2018. I was later elected to the State Working Committee of the Party, a position I hold to this day,” he said.
Having championed the cause of PLWD since 2010, Babaoloye established himself as a leader in the struggle for inclusiveness. In 2021, this struggle culminated in his appointment as the Special Assistant on Special Needs by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
Through his office, Babaoloye has facilitated employment opportunities for some PLWD and provided business grants to support their ventures. Additionally, he has facilitated distribution of gas cylinders to individuals across the 16 local government areas of Kwara State.
Determined to achieve more, Babaoloye and other stakeholders in the PLWD community are advocating for the establishment of a special commission for PLWD and amendments to disability laws in the state. Such legislation and institutions would provide a clear framework for the full integration of PLWD into society, without segregation or marginalisation.
With over 4,000 PLWD in Kwara, Babaoloye has initiated radio programmes to raise awareness about their rights and integration into various sectors. He emphasises that PLWD encompass various groups, including the visually impaired, physically handicapped, deaf, and albinos, among others. His ultimate goal is to fight for their rights to vote and hold elective positions.
“I aspire to run for an elective position in the future to serve PLWD and humanity at large,” he concluded.
Babaoloye’s journey from marginalisation to leadership serves as a pointer to his resilience and determination. As he continues to break barriers, he encourages PLWD to dream big and seize the opportunities available in the world.
His reappointment as Special Assistant in the Governor’s second term reaffirms his commitment to service and advocacy. Babaoloye, true to his name, is destined for leadership, and his story inspires hope for a more inclusive society where every individual can thrive regardless of their abilities.