PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
Barely 24 hours after Debola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel lamented the maltreatment at a fast-food outlet at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has ordered the immediate closure of the facility.
Persecondnews reports that this is an instant response to a social media report by Daniel, in which he shed more light on his ordeal with the manager of the eatery, who, on sighting him at the restaurant, screamed, “No wheelchairs allowed.”
Detailing his inhumane treatment via his official X handle on Wednesday, Daniel said: “To be a disabled in Nigeria is to be undesirable, unwelcome, and unaccepted.”
In a statement by Obiageli Orah Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, stated that “In line with Lagos State Law on People with Special Needs, Part C, Section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination, which states that, ” A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle, or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person.”
The statement explained that Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the MD/CE of FAAN, intervened swiftly by deploying a management team comprising Obiageli Orah, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection; Mr. Sunday Ayodele, the Regional Manager South West; Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo, General Manager Public Affairs; and the International Terminal Manager, Kerri, to investigate the allegation.
It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN has shut down the KFC facility at the MMA, where the incident occurred.
“The Authority has instructed that the KFC Management should tender an unreserved apology in writing to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation.
“FAAN uses this medium to express our unreserved apology to the affected passenger with reduced mobility and assures all airport users that we shall continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon,” the statement said.
Persecondnews reports that earlier on Wednesday, Daniel took to his social media page to lament his maltreatment by the fast-food outlet at MMIA.
Daniel claimed that the KFC location refused to let him in because he uses a wheelchair.
According to him, the refusal occurred as he, along with four companions, his wife, and his brothers, attempted to dine at the outlet. Despite being recognized by the security staff, they were abruptly informed by the restaurant’s manager that wheelchairs were not permitted inside.
He wrote: “I have never been the type of person to make a fuss or complain about my disability. My approach has always been “laissez faire.” Ultimately, it is what it is.
“It is a part of my identity, and like everyone else, I have my days of self-doubt and confusion as to how/if I fit in society.
“To be a disabled in Nigeria is to be undesirable, unwelcome, and unaccepted. As I’ve said before, it’s a lonely, scary, and isolated place.
“Never has this been more true than it has ever been today, where I faced the worst sort of public humiliation that I have ever experienced. To think that this happened at an international brand @kfc @kfcnigeria at an international airport – Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos – is unthinkable.
“I arrived at the airport as normal for my Virgin Atlantic flight to London. I’m a frequent flyer, and I’m extremely familiar with all due processes at Murtala Muhammed Airport.
“Years ago, after all security and immigration formalities have been completed, I would normally go to the OASIS lounge to wait for my flight.
“For the past 3 years, the lift to the lounge has been out of service so I’ve often found solace in other establishments, sometimes lounges, sometimes restaurants such as @kfc @kfcnigeria
“Today I chose KFC – what a colossal mistake. I entered the restaurant with 4 other travel companions, consisting of my brothers and wife.
“The security personnel at KFC, Samuel, greeted me by name, as I’ve been there multiple times. Just as we were about to sit, the lady at the till – who was apparently the manager – called out loudly, “NO WHEELCHAIRS ALLOWED.”
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