BY BOSE ADEBAYO

DANIEL Owen, a legal practitioner in Lagos, suffered poliomyelitis before the age of two. Although he managed to attend primary school, his parents did not see any need him proceeding to secondary school. Undeterred, Daniel studied at home and attempted the General Certificate in Education, GCE, in 1992 where he obtained six credits.

With this, his parents were challenged to send him to University of Uyo to study law between 1995 and 2001 before proceeding to Makurdi for his National Youth Serving Corps, NYSC.

Today, Daniel, 40, is doing well in his chosen field. He was instrumental to the passage of the Disability Bill into law in Lagos State. He has been a succour to many physically challenged especially when it has to do with injustice and human rights.

Background

“I attended Army Children School, Benin City, but my parents could not send me to secondary school due to lack of

Barr. Daniel Owen

finance. As we all know, sending the physically challenged to school requires a lot of money. I suffered polio when I was under two years of age. As a result, I stayed at home after my primary education but attempted GCE in 1992.

“When I signified my intention to write, the GCE, my parents did not believe in me because thinking it would be a fruitless effort. At the end of the day, I had six credits.

“After crossing the hurdles of GCE, I proceeded to University of Uyo to study law between 1995 and 2001 before my Youth Service in Makurdi”.

Life as physically challenged

“Life has been full of challenges, but what I do to compensate myself is to work extra hard. During my NYSC in Markudi, I had to travel to Jos on daily basis because I was posted to the Court of Appeal for my primary assignment. ”I could not afford to charter a taxi most of the time, but made do with public transport which made the exercise cumbersome.

”My supervisor was reluctant to give me strenuous jobs but I always told him not to pity me because my primary assignment to that state was to develop myself. Before my graduation, I made up my mind to be self-reliant and I did not hesitate to come to Lagos after my NYSC.

“I was involved in voluntary service with a firm before I finally set up my own office. I face a lot of hurdles with public transport but I thank God that things are getting better. Since I bought a car, I can afford going to court in it which makes the job easier than before. Though we are not there yet but we are not where we used to be.

”I set up my office in 2007 but I had to consolidate my practice by going into partnership under a new identity we call Daniel and Sophia.”

Challenges

“Life has been challenging but interesting, It has not been easy but what I do to compensate myself is to work extra hard. The challenges include appearing in court late due to transportation hurdles. Another challenge was carrying a lot of books together with my gown and other personal effects before running after commercial bus”.

Inspiration

“I give gratitude to God for making me to be successful on the job while I work hard or do my best at every given opportunity”.

Why I studied law

”I see this profession as a means to contributing to the elevation of my people (the physically challenged). I want to see to the correction of the injustice meted to us both socially and otherwise, and God has enabled me to contribute my quota to making sure that we are justified.

“The injustice is being redressed somehow. This gladdens my heart. I opted for law because effect changes in the life of people and situations around them. So far, I have been involved in a lot of things. I have been addressing human rights and disability issues and I was instrumental to the drafting and development of Disability Law”.

My plight

“I feel special because I know that I am different from others. Disability is not a liability but a mark of distinction especially when you are doing the right thing at the right time. It makes you stand out among others”.

Regret

“It is painful that the Disability Law is not well embraced in Nigeria”.