The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has begun consultations with organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs in the North-West geo-political zone for conscription into anti-corruption fight through #UpRight4Nigeria; Stand against Corruption Campaign beginning from Kano State. The Campaign which is being implemented through a UKAid funded project on Strengthening Citizens Resistance against Prevalence of Corruption (SCRAP-C) is aimed at contributing to a reduction in corruption as a result of changing public attitudes that increasingly disapprove of corrupt activities.
The Founder/Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Mr. David O. Anyaele represented by the Senior Program Officer, CCD Mr. Kola Ogunbiyi commended organisations of persons with disabilities in Nigeria and Kano State in particular for their interest and commitment in the fight against corruption in our society, which has been demonstrated by the turnout of heads of PWDs organisation present at the Consultative meeting.
He explained that citizens with disabilities are the worst hit as a result of prevalence of corruption in the society, as resource meant for healthcare, education, rehabilitation of citizens with disabilities and social infrastructures has been abused by those in authority. This situation deepens the poverty situation in our society, which has been linked to increasing number of persons with disabilities in the country as disability causes poverty, and poverty causes disability.
He went further to state that CCD is committed to strengthening the capacity of organisations of persons with disabilities in Nigeria to contribute to the fight against corruption in Nigeria. That’s why the project is currently running in South East-Enugu State and South South- Akwa Ibom State, and the project will be launched also among organisations of persons with disabilities in South West- Lagos State; and Kaduna State.
Mr. Anyaele called on persons with disabilities to join forces with other relevant civil society organisations to stand against corruption through refusal to participate in corrupt practices; refuse to give or take bribe, gratification before carrying out services; to uphold the value of honesty, integrity, transparency and hardwork.
CCD founder further called on organisations of persons with disabilities to join forces with CSOs to speak against corruption, and engage in campaign activities to promote anti-corruption in our society, as negative impact of corruption does not discriminate, and persons with disabilities bears the greatest negative impact of corruption in our society.
The event was well attended by heads of organisations of persons with disabilities in the State including the leadership and executive members of the Joint National Associations of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) such as JONAPWD Kano State Chairman, Engr. Musa Shaga, JONAPWD National Women Leader Hajiya Rabi Yusuf and North West Zonal Cordinator, National Association of persons with physical disability, Mrs. Balikisu Ado Zango. They all pledged their commitment to ensure that SCRAP-C project in Kano State is successful.
Based on the press statement signed by SCRAP-C Project Lead, CCD Peace Ndukwe, after the end of the intensive deliberation, the OPDs adopted some strategies such as awareness creation, community dialogue, compound meetings, media programmes, advocacy Visits, engaging the traditional rulers and religious leaders as a vehicle for actualising SCRAP C project.
Remarkably at the meeting, the Heads of PWDs clusters in Kano State promised to put their differences aside and work together in ensuring full implementation of disability law in Kano State and the National Disability Act
The SCRAP-C is an anti-corruption project is being implemented by 6 Consortium of six National Civil Society Organizations -ActionAid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development, and Centre for Communication and Programmes in Nigeria and three other implementing partners including WARDC, HEDA, and Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD)
