At 93 years old, Pa Abdulkadir Oba Zubair, the Chief Imam of Oke-Oyi town in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, still exudes an alliance towards persons with disabilities that commands attention. You instantly want to ask what drives his commitment to disability cause. The aged cleric responds with that mellowed wisdom of ages, reinforced by a life devoted to piety. He points to life’s unpredictability: “What lies behind my commitment is that no one knows what kind of test or trial they might face later in life… the brevity of life, the vanity of everything we hold so dear now, that’s another reason. Even if nothing has happened to you, you should still treat people with disabilities well.” He caps his brief homily with: “No matter how strong and energetic you are as youth, one day you will become weak, and at the mercy of others.”
The old man is speaking from a wealth of experience, having lived on both sides of the divide. Once robust and able, old age had taken its toll – bringing in its throes a taste of disability. Pa Zubair needs support to walk but remains mentally sharp enough to articulate his thoughts on the disability allyship he had championed over the years. To him, allyship is using his influence to remove barriers for people with disabilities.
The Man and his drive
My name is Imam Abdulkadir Oba Zubair. I am the Chief Imam of Oke-Oyi town, Ilorin East Local Government. I am passionate about community development, education, and creating opportunities for everyone. My interest in disability inclusion grew from interacting with persons with disabilities and realising that the barriers they face are often created by society rather than by their impairments. This inspired me to support initiatives that promote inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities. We do not often see persons with disabilities in key official roles – at local, state and federal levels, in politics and other roles that give them a strong feeling of belonging. They often don’t get the right opportunities to participate equally. Seeing capable individuals being excluded from education, employment, and community activities simply because of their disabilities made me realise the importance of advocacy, and I became more intentional in supporting disability inclusion.
For Imam Zubair, allyship means standing alongside persons with disabilities, listening to their voices, respecting their experiences and advocating for their rights. It is using his influence to remove barriers and promote equal opportunities.
Contributing to disability justice
Imam Zubair has been a voice and force in his own distinct way in the push for a more inclusive community. As a cleric, he delivers homilies and uses his influence to encourage his congregation to support disability causes. Interestingly, his allyship with disability isn’t limited by religious divides. He belongs to and actively participates in the inter-religious organisation, ‘Rehabilitation for Nigeria through Righteousness’ – a platform which he also used to mobilise awareness and support for disability justice. Beyond these, Imam Zubair gets personally involved. “I pray for them a lot and also give financial support to the best of my ability – I do everything within my reach, including encouraging them”. And for wider reach, he uses his office and collaborations to call on community and religious leaders to join the active push against excluding persons with disabilities.
Roadblocks
When I steer the conversation to challenges that come with the terrain, the cleric points to people’s hesitancy about getting involved because, in their view, allyship doesn’t bring personal profit. He adds, “even persons with disabilities often lack the platform, resources, or leverage to push their own cause by themselves.” Society’s misconceptions and stereotypes about disability create further roadblocks. One strategy to counter these misconceptions, according to Pa Zubair, is for parents to teach their children Godly fear. To make them understand that anyone, even those without disabilities, can become disabled at any time through, for example, accidents or illness.
Disability is not a bad thing
In a society where disability is still looked on as bad, Imam Zubair holds an enlightening view which he never hesitates to share. “Disability is a natural part of human diversity.” He backs that up with insight from lived experience: “I never see disability as a bad thing because anyone who prays to live long will become person with disability at one point…” The ‘bad thing’, as he points out, are societal barriers manifesting as discrimination, inaccessible environments, and negative attitudes that hinder full participation of people with disabilities.
Lessons and advice from Allyship
Allyship has been a journey of learning and unlearning for the old man, too. Imam Zubair is open about the experience when he admits: “I have learned that people with disabilities are the experts in their own experiences, so allyship isn’t so much about speaking for persons with disabilities as it is speaking with them and respecting their choices. In my years of interacting with them, I saw proof of ‘ability in disability’ in the brilliance and meaningful contributions they bring to discussions.” That taught me to avoid assumptions. They are a caring lot too. When I was sick, some of them came visiting with gifts. “Look, disability doesn’t stop the humanity of these people – they should be given unbiased chances at intimate relationships and marriage, employment and friendship.”
“For advice, I think one should start by listening. Then, one should learn about disability rights, and be careful to always use respectful language. Spaces need to be more accessible, and persons with disabilities should be part of conversations and decision-making.”
Everyone should be involved
Imam Zubair concludes by calling on all and sundry to be involved in the allyship journey. His words: “Society should not leave support for persons with disabilities in the hands of government alone. Mosques, churches, organisations, and individuals should get involved.” I believe that building an inclusive society is a shared responsibility.
Testimonies
“Chief Imam is a truly generous man. I have personally benefitted from his kindness, and many other women with disabilities have also received his support… He is, without doubt, a very kind and selfless leader” Ruth Obebe (Secretary, JONAPWD, Kwara State, Women wing)
“Chief Imam of Oke-oyi, our beloved grand patron has been a true father to Kwara women with disabilities…his unwavering support has touched many lives deeply…he consistently advocates for a better life for persons with disabilities” Joy Bolarin (Women leader, JONAPWD, Kwara State)
“I have sufficient rapport with Alhaji Oba Zubair and I can describe him as a wonderful, amiable, loving man who loves peace and doesn’t allow religious difference to bar him from associating with Christians… He loves people and is well spoken of…” Sam Aweda (Clergy)
“Since I have known this man, he has been caring. During recent bandit attacks on some Kwara communities, he constantly checked on our disability community – giving encouragement and monetary support.”
“Allies”, a collaborative project with Madam Joy Bolarin, Executive Director, Jibore Impeccable Foundation, and anchored by Alexander Ogheneruemu (Disability writer), spotlights non-disabled actors whose contribution to disability causes standout.
