Meet David Adesina: The man who aspires to be a Malala for disabilities. From working as a social media manager to enjoying neighborhood football matches during the week, David aspires to be the resounding voice for people living with disabilities and the less privileged in Nigeria. In this insightful conversation, he bares all of the realities and challenges of living with a visible disability to Opeyemi Hasiat Kareem.

What do you do for a living?

I am currently out of work. However, when I am engaged, I work as a Social Media Manager, delving into Growth Marketing. I also do Community and Communications management.

What do you consider the happiest memory you have of yourself?

It will probably be between travelling out of the country and being on an aeroplane for the first time, by myself. The first, because my first trip out of the country was by road. It was a very long and tiring journey. However, I was excited because I was going out of the country and going to a new place, and it was supposed to be a fun experience. 

Then, travelling on an aeroplane for the first time by myself was also an amusing experience (smiles). I was trying to record every part of it until I forgot my power bank and charger at the airport. I think if I do a check, those are like the two memories that I think I can remember at the moment.

Can you share with me something you have done that you are really proud of?

Earning a degree from the University I graduated from is one. Completing NYSC is another. Then, starting a company from scratch is another thing I am very proud of.

What does a week in your life look like?

On Sundays, I wake up early in the morning and go to church. Church starts at 7, and ends around 11am. After church, I come back to my house and laze around till evening. Thankfully, football is coming back, so my weekends can have something, but because I am out of job, I am in my house most of the time. 

I just get up in the morning, do some house chores, get back to my bed, get back to my phone or laptop, and think of something creative to do during the day. In the evening, I am out of my house just to catch some fresh air. 

Some days in the week, I am on the field in my area watching guys play football because I am a very strong football lover. I think because I am not currently working, I don’t have the usual in-between the day activity of work.

Are you in any relationship?

Omo I chop breakfast o, my heart never heal. I am trying to bounce back, but it has been hard. It’s been hard trying to trust somebody again, so I am not in a relationship at the moment. I am hoping for the best.

What is a bad habit that you have?

There are plenty of them, but one of them is the management of money. I no sabi manage money.  As I am like this, if I have a hundred thousand naira, once it enters my hand like this, I will spend it. I can finish it before the end of the day.  I may be able to account for what I spent it on, but I will spend it. 

A hundred thousand is just an example. It could be more, it could be less, but I’ve just realised I have a bad habit of spending money, and I am trying to work on it by giving my money to people when I have it in my hand.

But isn’t money for spending normally?

Omo it is for spending wisely o.

Would you rather have a fast-forward or rewind button in your life?

When you say fast-forward or rewind button, will I know what I know now if I go forward or backwards?

Yes, you will know what you know now

Omo I will go back o because there are some things I want to just change. With my knowledge now, there are things I want to change.

Let’s even go back to secondary school, I won’t be a science student. I would just choose art and be facing my poetry and literature. Maybe by now, I will be like Chimamanda or Wole Soyinka. 

If I know what I know now, I will go back because I have not been in the future but I have been in the past. And there are some things that even though I did them well, if I had a second chance, I will do them better.

If you could change one thing in the present, what would it be?

My financial status. I want to have comfortable money.

The kind that will last for generations?

Yes, kind of. 

Earlier though, I was thinking; should I say (I would love to change) Nigeria but I don’t really care like that (laughs).

Does having a disability hinder anything in your life? Your work or the way people speak to you

Yes, it does. For instance, I think — I’m not sure, but I think that having a disability plays a very huge role in my being single for the last two years. 

But I don’t have proof. And generally, my own disability is very visible. I walk with crutches. I almost cannot walk without my crutches, so it tends to make people who meet me for the first time see me as a weak person, and it’s until they get close to me and they get to know me that they are like, “This guy is great, it’s just a disability that he has.” 

Work-wise also, in as much as my mindset is attuned to think like one who is totally abled, my body system cannot carry that weight in terms of work rate, stress, hustling, bustling, going about and everything. 

There is very little that my body can accommodate being a person living with disability. It affects a lot in terms of people’s perceptions, and even my capacity over a long period of time — what I can and cannot do.

What is your greatest wish?

I think my greatest wish is to be known globally for something. I may not be able to particularly say one thing, but I think my greatest wish will be to be globally acclaimed and respected around the world for something. 

If I was able to add another one, I would probably say being a voice for people living with disabilities. That, I hold very dearly. Apart from disabilities, I have a strong affinity for people who are marginalised and people who don’t have a voice. 

I feel very bad when I see people that are being oppressed or trampled upon – especially less privileged persons. I think if I could wish for something to do, it is to stand up for the less privileged and those living with disabilities. Someone like a Malala for disabilities.

Have you read Disability awareness and its importance?