Reps Hail Crippled Beggar Turned Lawyer, OAU’s Record-Breaker

The House of Representatives on Tuesday celebrated a former physically-challenged Lagos beggar, Mr. Abdulsalam Kamaldeen, and Miss Aarinola Olaiya, for their academic feats.

While Kamaldeen overcame his physical challenge as a crippled beggar to graduate as a lawyer, Olaiya was honoured by the House for the rare academic feat of being the first medical student to graduate with distinction in Surgery at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, since 1989.

Kamaldeen, 38, whose story was first published in The Punch some years back, and Olaiya, 24, received a standing ovation from lawmakers during the plenary of the House in Abuja.

This came after members had debated a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, to celebrate the two young Nigerians.