Undeterred!
Olusoji Francis, a physically-challenged youth, defies his disability to contribute to society
By ‘JIDE IYANDA

At his duty post on WEMPCO Road, Ogba in Lagos, youthful Olusoji Francis awes many a motorist who drives past him as he controls traffic, sometimes under scorching sun. He makes wobbly, yet calculated gestures at oncoming vehicles to halt or move at the junction linking the Ogba Bus Stop, and the drivers obey his instructions. Olusoji, in his early 20s, suffers from Cerebral Palsy, a neurological disorder, also medically referred to as “motor impairment”, which affects a person’s ability to speak and walk properly, as well as maintain balance and posture. Not deterred by the encumbrance of his disability, Olusoji sweats it out daily from as early as 7am till nightfall, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic in the Ogba industrial neigbourhood. And in appreciation of his determination and sacrifice, many motorists often throw scribbled naira notes at the voluntary traffic controller. Little is known of Olusoji’s person — he was incoherent when News Digest interrupted him while he was controlling traffic on a hot afternoon. He tried mumbling some words and soon pointed at a carpenter’s shed across the road where a man volunteered to offer a few insights.