In preparation for the 2025 International Spinal Cord Injury Day, the Kano State Chapter of the Spinal Cord Injury Association has commenced advocacy activities with a strategic visit to the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Disabled.
The commemorative day, observed globally on September 5, aims to raise awareness on spinal cord injuries, promote injury prevention, and improve the quality of life for survivors. During the courtesy visit, the Chairman of the association, Abdulraman Uba Daushe, highlighted the critical need to educate both victims and the general public on effective self-care and emergency handling techniques to prevent secondary complications.
He noted that the forthcoming awareness event would serve as a platform for survivors to share personal stories and highlight their day-to-day struggles, while also mobilizing support for critical items such as wheelchairs, adult diapers, and other medical necessities.
“This initiative is not just about visibility, but about giving voice to survivors and helping communities better understand their responsibilities in times of accidents or emergencies,” Daushe said.
Responding on behalf of the Commissioner, the Director of Special Duties, Mairo Halliru Haruna, lauded the association’s advocacy efforts and reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to disability inclusion. She assured the delegation that the Ministry, under the leadership of the Commissioner, would continue to collaborate with key stakeholders to ease the burden on spinal cord injury victims and their families.
The engagement also featured strategic discussions between officials of the Ministry and representatives of the association, focused on building sustainable partnerships, increasing public awareness, and delivering long-term support services for affected individuals.
The International Spinal Cord Injury Day is coordinated annually by the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) and adopted in several countries to highlight the importance of prevention, access to rehabilitation, and empowerment for people living with spinal cord injuries.