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Why I wear Nigeria national colours
Why I wear Nigeria national colours
Meet self-proclaimed Nigeria's Ambassador for Peace Sani Ibrahim
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NAIJ.com
– Sani Ibrahim is a physically challenged person who is passionate about the peace of Nigeria, hence he bears the name "the Ambassador for Peace"
– The patriotic Nigerian narrates how he was maltreated by some security agents in Nigeria and how he lost his job after the change of the government on May 29, 2015.
Curiosity led NAIJ.com into the world of Sani Ibrahim, popularly called "One Nigeria" by most residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
– The patriotic Nigerian narrates how he was maltreated by some security agents in Nigeria and how he lost his job after the change of the government on May 29, 2015.
Curiosity led NAIJ.com into the world of Sani Ibrahim, popularly called "One Nigeria" by most residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
An indigene of Kano state, Ibrahim lost his lower limbs to polio at an early age. This prevented him from attending school just like every other children. Spotted on major streets in the FCT, Ibrahim moves around the city in a customized green and white wheelchair with several inscriptions all expressing his love for Nigeria.
When NAIJ.com visited him in his residence at a public sports facility in the central business district of Abuja, Ibrahim, who spoke in smattering English, revealed how he was maltreated by some security agents in Nigeria while preaching his message of peace round the city.
Sani Ibrahim sitting at the entrance of his house built beside a fence. Photo: Yinka Adeparusi
"On October 17, 2015, the Nigerian police in Kano state put me in the cell because they saw me outside during their patrol hours. On May 1, 2015, the police molested me opposite Bayelsa House, Abuja. And on January 16, the mobile policemen beat me up while I was trying to enter federal secretariat."
When asked about his means of livelihood, Ibrahim said he gained employment Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), but said he had not not been paid his monthly stipend of N20,000 since the change of the government on May 29, 2015.
Watch how Ibrahim reacted to NAIJ.com's visit to his residence:
Watch how Ibrahim reacted to NAIJ.com's visit to his residence:
"During the Goodluck Jonathan administration, I was employed by the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria in 2013. They usually pay me N20,000 which I use to take care of myself. But since the coming of change by President Muhammadu Buhari, they have not paid me anything. Right now, I only survive on donations from good-spirited Nigerians."
So passionate about Nigeria, Ibrahim painted his crutches green and white. Photo: Yinka Adeparusi
When asked why he wears Nigeria's national colours, he said: "I dress this way because it's my way of letting people know that we do not have any other country apart from Nigeria. We do not have any other country beside Nigeria. If we all work together in love, Nigeria will be a better place!"
"This is where I stay, because I am just trying to manage my life. I believe that I will be that which God say I will be. I am more concerned about what I can do for my country and what I can do to make Nigeria a better place," he added.
Ibrahim in his green and white customized wheelchair. Photo: Yinka Adeparusi
Efforts to reach his former employer and the police public relations officer proved abortive. However, a police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity condemned the use of force on Ibrahim.
Efforts to reach his former employer and the police public relations officer proved abortive. However, a police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity condemned the use of force on Ibrahim.
He said: "I don't support the use of force on anybody, but, as you are aware, there is security challenge in Nigeria. Most times, these Boko Haram terrorists will dress up in all manner of ways so that you will not suspect them. It's a very critical time in Nigeria and we all have to be careful. I think they might have attacked him for the wrong reason."
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