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The 14th Asagba of Asaba, HRM Epiphany Ezinge, has called for a shift in how society views and supports persons with disabilities, urging both government and citizens to move beyond sympathy to real action.
Speaking on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at a town hall organised by News Central TV in Asaba, Delta State, the monarch welcomed recent legal progress, noting that attention must now turn to implementation.
“I am happy that we are migrating from sympathy, empathy to solution. We have passed the stage of formulation of policies and to now implementation of laws that have since been made,” he said.
“I’m happy that the National Assembly passed the disability law and that Delta State seem to have also adopted same with slight modifications,” he added.
Beyond policy, the monarch stressed the need to change perceptions around disability, warning against equating it with helplessness.
“Disability does not condemn you to a destitute. It doesn’t. When we talk of charity or empathy, we look at people with disabilities as if they are destitute, but they are not. You must not present yourselves as such. You must never. We want to see you rise above your limitations.”
At the same time, he pointed to structural barriers that still exclude people with disabilities, citing what he observed at the venue.
“I observed coming into this town hall that whatever is outside there in the form of a ramp was just a makeshift. This hotel was built without consideration for the disabled. These are the people we should be talking to. It is not only government, private corporations, individuals, collectively… members of the community, society.”
HRM Ezinge emphasised the need for sustained advocacy to ensure inclusive design and equal access in public and private spaces.
“We must continue to lead advocacy so that they can understand that there are certain things that must be done in order to accommodate the interests of the disabled amongst us.”
He concluded by thanking News Central and TAF Africa for choosing Asaba as the venue, expressing hope that the conversation would drive meaningful change.
“Disability does not condemn you to a destitute. Rise above your limitations on your own.”
The 14th Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Epiphany Azinge, says that society must move beyond sympathy towards practical solutions for persons with disabilities.#NCTownHallSeries pic.twitter.com/TtGycvUGmQ
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) March 26, 2026
