News Room — Philemon Obeze & Ajifa Treasure
Those were the words of Diana Emmanuel, a physically challenged woman from Jos, Plateau State, who has become the voice of many after sharing her ordeal at a popular restaurant, Jenny’s Kitchen. Her story has sparked outrage, igniting discussions on the systemic discrimination faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.
It all began during the New Year break when Diana and her sister decided to visit Jenny’s Kitchen, located near their home, to buy ice cream. What was meant to be a simple outing quickly turned into a distressing experience.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Diana was stopped at the door by a security guard.
“The security by the door denied me access into the kitchen because I’m in a wheelchair,” she said, recalling the shock and confusion she felt. She repeatedly asked the guard why she couldn’t enter, but he refused to respond, standing silently at his post.
Other customers soon gathered, curious about the unfolding scene, and joined in demanding an explanation for Diana’s treatment. Yet, their efforts were also met with silence. Frustrated and humiliated, Diane left the restaurant with her sister, unable to process the blatant discrimination she had just experienced.
“I’ve never been this embarrassed in a public space,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion.
Still shaken, Diana decided to contact a manager at Jenny’s Kitchen to report the incident. However, the response she received only deepened her frustration.
“He apologised over the phone, but his apology didn’t sound sincere at all,” she told JoeyOffAir.
Determined not to let the issue slide, Diana’s friends turned to social media to share the experience. And the post quickly gained traction, drawing widespread attention and support.
“After seeing the post, many people reached out to find out what happened. Some even took it upon themselves to demand action, giving Jenny’s Kitchen three options: to call me and apologise, to locate me and render a physical apology, and to post a public apology on social media within 24 hours,” she wrote.
The incident also highlights a violation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which mandates equal access to public spaces for persons with disabilities.
Responding to the allegations, Seyi Ibi, the manager of the Jenny’s Kitchen branch where the incident occurred, denied that the restaurant condones discrimination.
“In our 10 years of operation, we have prioritised customer satisfaction and have never discriminated against persons with disabilities,” he said. “Sometimes, they [PWDs] sit in their vehicles and call our staff over to place an order, and we attend to them. This is the first time something like this has happened.”
Mr Ibi dismissed claims that the security guard acted on directives from the management, describing the guard’s behaviour as a personal lapse. “He was just misbehaving on his own,” he added.
For Diana, the incident at Jenny’s Kitchen is just one of many instances of discrimination she has faced. She recounted another painful experience during her university years when a lecturer refused to accommodate her condition during exams.
“I had an exam upstairs, but because of my condition, the Head of Department (HOD) instructed me to write it downstairs,” she said. “While I was writing, a female lecturer insisted I go upstairs, even though she knew about my condition. Later, she falsely accused me of insulting her. I cried throughout the exam. That experience traumatised me and affected my studies until I graduated.”
This recent incident has reignited calls for the enforcement of laws protecting PWDs and raised questions about the treatment of disabled persons in public spaces. Diana’s story serves as a stark reminder of the struggles faced by PWDs in Nigeria.
“The time has come to fight for our rights and stand up to anyone who treats us like trash,” Diana said. “This is no longer a plea but a command. Who knows how many people out there have been silenced by situations like this?”
