By Erewunmi Peace

The Executive Director of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), David Anyaele, has shared how he was allegedly rejected by some Southeast governors but later received rehabilitation support through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking in a recent interview, Anyaele recounted the tragic experience of losing both hands to Sierra Leonean rebels during the country’s civil war in 1999. According to him, the rebels attacked him while he was on a peace mission, accusing him of being a foreigner.

He said his efforts to seek help from some Southeast governors after returning to Nigeria were unsuccessful, adding that his appeal for rehabilitation was ignored. However, Anyaele stated that he later received assistance facilitated by then–Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, which enabled him to get prosthetic hands and medical support.

The CCD Director expressed gratitude for the intervention, noting that the gesture gave him a second chance at life and inspired his advocacy for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

Anyaele’s revelation has drawn reactions on social media, with many praising Tinubu for his humanitarian gesture while others called for further verification of the claims.

The CCD Director has continued to champion disability rights and accessibility reforms across Nigeria, urging governments at all levels to prioritize policies that protect the dignity and welfare of persons with disabilities.