Perseverance and Courage in the Face of Disability: The Inspiring Journey of Adama Balla
Adama Yerima Balla, born on December 19th, 1974, in Maiduguri, Borno State, faced adversity from a young age. Her father, the late radical politician Malam Yerima Balla, and mother, Malama Zilai Abdullahi Daya, both from royal families, provided a strong foundation despite challenges.
Contracting polio at 15 months due to missed vaccinations, Adama deals with severe disabilities, relying on a wheelchair and assistance for mobility.
Despite these challenges, she is a zealous, highly educated civil servant, having taught at the Federal Government College, Maiduguri, and currently serving as the Social Mobilization Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
Adama’s struggle fuels her campaign for polio eradication through ZADAYA-KANEM POLIO AND DISABILITIES INITIATIVE (Zadaya-Kanem PDI). Her relentless fundraising efforts have raised over 2 million Naira, showcasing the impact of one person’s determination.
The initiative’s projects include back-to-school programs, hospital expeditions, and community dialogues. Married with two children, Adama also manages successful businesses involving dried fruit merchandise and sewing shops, envisioning international success and substantial support for disabled individuals.
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Beyond her business achievements, Adama is a published author, expressing her creative spirit in works such as “MY ATTEMPT AT SELF EXPRESSION” (poetry) and “ECHOES OF MOTHERHOOD” (play).
Adama’s advice to those with disabilities emphasizes empowerment and resilience, urging them to embrace education, value all types of work, seize opportunities, and cultivate self-reliance.
Her advocacy extends to government inclusion, calling for a community-level database for disabled individuals.
Adama Yerima Balla’s story is an inspiration—a testament to the power of unwavering determination, education, and a compassionate heart. Through her life’s work, she illuminates the path for others facing adversity, proving that disability is not a limitation but a call to rise above and make a meaningful difference in the world.
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