By Kehinde Adejumo
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The  stigma associated with leprosy  is one of the reasons those of us who had been healed, do not  want to leave Ago- Ireti settlement for the  fear of being discriminated against in the society.”

These were the words of  Mr Thomas Ibinkunle,  who had spent thirty eight years (38 year) in Ago- Ireti  camp,  though he has been healed.

He revealed this to  Community  Hope during a chat  in the camp.  The  72 years old Oka Akoko  man, said he got to the camp in 1980, and   was certified healed of the disease in 2004, “even my own children relate with me  at a distance, he lamented.

“On an occasion when l traveled home,  the way  I was treated shows that I was not  wanted in their midst.

“Even my own wife does not want me to come near her for the fear of being infected, despite the fact that  l had been certified  healed by a competent doctor,  he wept profusely”.

Another man in the camp, who hails from Arigidi-Akoko but does not want his name in print  , said it is better for him to spend the rest of his life in the  company of those  who love him than being among  his immediate family where he will be  avoided as a plague .

The head of the  settlement, Mr Gabriel Ologunagba, who  got to the  camp in 1979  , said he can not  blame  the relatives of those who are avoiding them, because  the sickness is a contagious one.

He pleaded with the people of the society to show them love and  not to discriminate against them.

“My happiest day on earth was the day Governor Olusegun Mimiko came to visit us, he had handshake with some of  us and embraced some who were hitherto unwanted”

He thanked the present administration for giving them cow, bags of rice  and  other items to celebrate Christmas and new year.

Ologunagba  also thanked religious organizations and spirited individuals  who visited them during the Christmas and new year.

However, life is more than wining and dining, he therefore pleaded with the government to give employment to some of  their children who have graduated  and also increase their  ten thousand naira monthly stipends.

According to him, N10, 000 is not enough  to feed for a month, not to talk of buying commodities and paying  children school fees and other things.

The Settlement Secretary,  Mr Tunji Oluwatimilehin who had  spent 25 years in the  Camp, said the settlement was established in 1943 with few people but now have  137 adults and over 200 children.

He recounted various things the previous administrations in the state have done for them.

According to him, Adefarati’s administration employed  five of them into the state civil service,  late Governor Olusegun Agagu increased their monthly stipends from Four thousand to  four thousand five hundred and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko increased from  N4,500 to N10,000  and also donated 14 seated passenger bus to the camp.

He pleaded with the present administration to increase their monthly allowance and give employment to their children who have graduated from higher institutions.

Speaking on how they settle dispute among themselves, Oluwatimehin said, they have rules and regulations and anyone that violate such law will be punished  by giving him or her portion of land to clear or be banished from the camp depending on the gravity of the offense committed.

“We meet  three times a week to discuss issues bothering on the settlement, pray to God for Nigeria, Ondo  State and the camp.

He advised the government to give them land where they can farm, especially the able bodied among them, for them to contribute their own quota to the development of the  state.