Institution under fire for expelling student with speech and hearing challenges

The Rivers State University is on the receiving end of a lot of criticism after the management expelled a student for claiming o have disabilities.

On January 30, 2015, the University management expelled 28-year-old Jane Ottah, after it observed that she was "medically challenged and have hearing and speech difficulties."‎

"Since the University does not have special communication facilities, the Vice-Chancellor has directed that you be de-registered on health grounds‎," the school registrar's letter to Ms. Ottah read.

"I am in the circumstance, directed to inform you that you have been de-registered on health grounds with immediate effect. You are therefore advised to hand over all University property(ies) in your possession to your Head of Department and thereafter leave the campus."

Ms. Ottah, who was in her first year in the Department of Educational Foundation, has continued to insist there is nothing wrong with her.

PremiumTimes has reported that lawyers and Human Rights activist have come out to condemn this decision.

"Cold shivers were running through my spine as I was hearing this," said Oluyinka Oyeniji, a Trustee at the Human Rights Foundation, a Lagos-based nongovernmental organization that guarantees equal access to justice.

"It is inconceivable, it is rude, it is uncouth, it is debasing to deprive anybody of the right to education because of physical challenges or disabilities.

"This calls again to question the pending bill before the National Assembly on protection of the rights of the physically challenged."

Another activist, Betty Abah, said the "crude treatment" of Ms. Ottah by the management of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology "borders on the absurd".

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"Here are people who are paid and who naturally should be empathetic and help her academic dreams come to fruition in spite of her challenges. These are the same persons thwarting those dreams," said Ms. Abah, Executive Director, Centre for Children's Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE).

"I understand that when she visited the clinic, when her so-called disability was discovered, she was not with her hearing aids, and so far, against all odds, she has managed to pass her exams. Why would they be so callous, so inhuman?

"And, the way her heartbroken father was also sent out by the insensitive HOD, you would realize the set of people running that school. The university should review its decision and reinstate her, so that she can acquire tertiary education like her contemporaries.

"Not to talk of the VC that called her 'deaf and dumb.' Pray, is there a university for people with disabilities in Nigeria? ‎Haven't they seen blind lawyers, deaf teachers? Or was it a crime for her refusing to sit at home and bemoan her fate? A big shame on them."

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Blessing Didia, when contacted on the issue, said, "The matter happened in January. I came from the University of Port Harcourt to become VC here in August,".