Nworgu-Esther
Temitope Adetunji
Nigeria’s celebrated para powerlifter and world record holder in the 41 female category at the World Paralympic Powerlifting tournament Nworgu Esther, though physically challenged, lives with an indomitable spirit.
She speaks to TEMITOPE ADETUNJI about how she won eight gold, bronze, and silver medals both locally and internationally, and why two physically challenged persons should not marry each other.
What were the events that led to you becoming physically challenged?
My name is Nworgu Esther. I’m from Ukwa-West Local Government Area of Abia State. I am 22 years old. Currently, I am involved in sports, and I am a Nigerian athlete.
I wasn’t born crippled. I was already interacting with people before I experienced my current condition. It happened when I was eight years old.
It wasn’t due to polio or an injection. I wasn’t sick. I just slumped, and that was it. My parents tried their best to help me regain my mobility, both medically and through prayers, to ensure I could live a full life.
How long have you been involved in sports?
I started sports in 2016.
So what drew your attention to sports even though you are physically challenged?
Like I used to tell people, disability is a thing of the mind, and I don’t believe in the word disability. Instead of using “disability,” I use “this ability” because I believe that I have a special ability.
So back to your question, in 2013, I never thought of going into sports. I was a computer instructor and also a hairdresser.
So during that time, I was in my world, and I believed that I wasn’t disabled. I believed I had a physical challenge, not a disability. I strive hard to reach any level I desire, just like everyone else. However, I joined a group for people with disabilities.
So one weekend, a friend of mine called me to attend a meeting, and reluctantly, I joined. When they saw my physique, they said, “You can do sports.” They asked if I had heard about special sports, and I said no.
So my friend took me to the state stadium, the Abia State National Sports Stadium.
He took me to a section where people were doing physical exercises. When I saw them, I became interested. So, I told them I wanted to be involved in it.
Okay, so what is the name of the sport you are engaged in?
It is called Powerlifting; it is an athletic event designed for individuals with physical disabilities.
Can you tell me what growing up was like for you?
Growing up wasn’t easy, but I thank my family because they accepted my disability and personality. I wasn’t born this way, but when it came, they knew that something changed. They adapted to the change and encouraged me to adapt to it.
So they built my self-confidence. It was only in the community that I experienced bullying and discrimination, but when you already have self-confidence from your home, there is no kind of discrimination that you cannot face out there.
If the discrimination came from the family, it would be so difficult to cope. So from my nursery to primary to secondary school, it wasn’t easy, but there is something that I remember every time I was faced with discrimination.
I remember my mom saying, “There’s no difference between you and them.” Those words stick to my brain, so when someone says otherwise, I’ll counter it and say there’s no difference between you and me.
Are you the firstborn in the family?
I’m the third child out of five children.
How supportive are your siblings during your challenging years?
They’re my number one fans. They’ll always tell me, “You can do it.” Even if I struggle to do it, they won’t help me, but they’ll tell me that I can do it. So, it keeps me going.
What schools did you attend?
Presently, I’m a ‘Jambite’, seeking admission.
During your secondary school years, what was the experience like?
As I told you before, I was properly equipped from home to deal with all situations. However, I am human. Some things would come up and you would remember who you were.
There was a day I was coming back from school all alone, and my sister-in-law and her husband were sitting outside.
My Igbo name is Ogechi. She then asked, “Ogechi, why are you walking like that?” Yet, she knew the story behind all this.
It pained me because she knew about my predicament. Those are some incidents that I don’t forget. When it comes to school, the issue I face is the challenge of accessing the environment.
You mentioned something about your sister-in-law, are you married?
No, she was my uncle’s wife.
Are you in a relationship?
Yes.
How did it start?
My partner is able-bodied. I always tell people that the way you lay your bed is how you will lie on it. One reason I love God is because when I ask Him for something, He always gives. What I ask from Him is what He gives me.
I don’t pray with doubt. I am one person who believes that living with disabilities is not the end of the world.
As a wheelchair user, I’m made. However, I believe two wheelchair users or two physically challenged persons should not marry each other because of security. Although some people believe two wheelchair users should marry each other.
I believe what works for others might not work for me. So I don’t know how it started, but I know I’m in a relationship. That is how my God works.
How long have you been in a relationship?
Eight months. This is my first relationship.
Have you met his parents and siblings, and what was their reaction? I knew it wouldn’t be easy, even though he could stomach everything that would come his way.
It’s not easy for able-bodied individuals too. You know, when coming home with a wife, your parents must find a fault and give you a thousand and one reasons why you shouldn’t marry her. So what about me, I’m ready to face it.
How has it been easy for you?
I don’t drive, and he’s not mobile either. So we take public transport. I am a strong woman. I do my things. Presently, I live alone. It’s only my legs that are affected; other parts of my body are strong.
How were you able to overcome the challenges you’ve faced?
When it comes to courage, I would attribute it to my family’s upbringing. Like I said before, their words and encouragement made it easy. Okay, let me take you back to the gym.
The first day I went to the stadium, I saw women, some of whom were even stronger than me. Some of them were also more able.
They were telling me about different women there, those that have travelled out and the one that is a Paralympian.
So I told myself, if these people can achieve this feat, why can’t I? This is because I love taking on challenges.
And today, I’ve done what others have done too, although I haven’t arrived yet.
What are the things you’ve achieved through your passion for sports?
I joined sports in 2016, and 2018 was my first outing, which was at the National Sports Festival in Abuja.
I won a silver medal there, which qualified me for the world championships hosted by Lagos – the Para Powerlifting World Championship.
I won two gold medals there because I broke the world junior record. That qualified me for the Para Powerlifting World Cup in 2020, which Abuja hosted, and other countries around the world attended.
I also won two gold medals there because I broke another world junior record and African senior record.
In 2021, we travelled to Georgia for the World Cup, and I came back with a bronze medal. In 2022, we went to Egypt for the world championships.
I performed well there, breaking the African junior record, the African senior record, the world junior record, and the world senior record. In 2023, we travelled to Dubai, where I won a silver medal, breaking the African record.
This year, last month to be specific, we travelled back to Egypt for the World Cup, where I broke the African senior record.
The 2022 visit to Egypt also gave me eight gold medals. So the record I broke last month gave me two gold medals. So, this has been my achievement.
So, how have you been advocating for inclusion to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities?
Even before now, I have started advocating for the need to improve inclusion in the community because I know what I went through while growing up as a person with a disability.
It was not easy for me, so I took it upon myself to advocate for it. Although it will take our society a long time to adapt to what we are talking about, we have to discuss it and educate people. You know, I also sing and minister.
I launched my album on June 6, 2020. So I go for ministrations, I talk to people, and I use my social media page to tell people about the importance of accessibility.
You may think you’re able today, but tomorrow you may have to live with a disability. So if you make your environment accessible today, it may be beneficial for you if and when that situation arises.
Can you share experiences that have shaped your journey as a person with physical challenges?
I’ve had so many experiences. In 2013, I gained admission to Federal Polytechnic Nekede, although I wasn’t prepared.
I just wanted to get the information, and then other things would follow suit, and my money wasn’t complete.
I went to meet the man I was told to meet, he told me that I belonged to the street because that is where disabled people belong. He said I was not supposed to be in school. I looked at him, and he meant it.
When I begged him that I needed the admission, he said I should just leave. I had nobody to run to.
I had to forfeit the admission and promised myself to not allow the incident to stop me from going to school. It is a promise that I intend to keep.
What messages would you like to convey to society about the capabilities and potentials of individuals with disabilities or physical challenges?
First of all, I’d like society to know that no human being is useless. No human being is incapable, and everybody is gifted.
Everybody is needed and everybody should be cherished. One thing they should know is that the word “disability” applies to everyone because we humans all have one or two disabilities, even those who claim not to have them.
All we ask for is inclusion because everyone is important in society.
Can you discuss any initiatives or projects you’re involved in to promote disability rights?
Yes, there’s this project I want to carry out, and I know I will not relent until I can do it. It is what I call the “One Facility, One Ramp” campaign because I’m a wheelchair user.
I want to lead a campaign to ensure that every bank hall, mall, church, and mosque has a ramp for wheelchair users.
What are your goals or aspirations for the future?
I want to make a difference in my community, that is, the community of people with disabilities. I want to be someone that people in this community can look up to.
What advice will you give to other persons facing similar challenges you’re facing, whether physical or otherwise? How can they find the needed strength to pursue their dreams?
First, I want them to know that no advice given to them can be helpful to them except the advice they give themselves. It is when you call yourself disabled that people will look at you as disabled.
There’s this adage that says the name you give to your dog is what he or she will answer. So the way you address yourself is how people will address you.
So if the world throws a stone at you, pick it up and build an empire with it.
When you’re pushed down by the world, don’t remain there. If you can’t stand, crawl. If you can’t crawl, move with your stomach, just make a move.
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