TQM report,
National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) have plans to introduce disability studies in the General Studies of all the Universities and other relevant courses to deepen the understanding of the disability inclusion and disability rights among young people in Nigeria and enhance innovations on accessibility and assistive devices from schools.
The plan of activities was part of speech of The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. James Lalu when Mr. Chris Agbo, the Executive Director, The Qualitative Magazine, the foremost disability advocacy magazine and the leading magazine on disability issues in Nigeria, visited the new office of the Commission for the first time on Monday 5th July, 2021.
Mr, Agbo while congratulating the ES for the new office, applauded the achievement so far by the Commission and he told the ES that he came on a solidarity visit to the Commission and as leader within the community discuss with the ES on the way forward for the good of persons with disabilities.
Speaking further, Mr. Chris congratulated ES for the award of excellence awarded to me by the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
Mr. Lalu commended Mr. Chris and those who accompanied him such as Elder Hon. Danderson Hart and Constance Onyemaechi. He reaffirmed his commitment to work and leave legacies behind as the Executive Secretary of the Commission. He revealed that he will approach the issues from different approaches to achieve his desire which is the good of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
On responding to the award of excellence, he informed the team that the Commission is planning to bring together professors from Nigerian Universities to formulate Disability course that would be inculcated into the curriculum particularly as a General Studies (GS) of all the Universities in Nigeria. He said that it is when these University Dons must have understood the concept of disability, formulate a disability course then the Commission will approach the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) for approval.
He also said that the essence of the course is for the young people through academics understand the concept of disability and it would help to mainstream disability in all sectors of the economy.
“We will also seek for such courses as accessibility engineering to develop through academics more understanding about accessibility because accessibility is beyond ramps and lifts” he added.
He also said that the commission would consult and apply some measures to enhance access to healthcare by persons with albinism and other persons with disabilities.
Mr. Chris commended the ES and the Commission for always following up all the stories on The Qualitative Magazine (TQM) and responding to those who needs help especially the case of the blind man whose family were killed and his property destroyed by bandits in Plateau State.
Mr. Lalu in his response said that “we should be the one appreciating TQM for helping the Commission to identify persons with disabilities in the hinterlands who truly deserved to be assisted. The magazine is my tonic every morning and the case of the blind man attacked by bandits in Plateau State, I saw it at the TQM website and I decided to reach out to him, assisted him financially, find out how he can be assisted further and I was told that he does not have a home so I collaborated with the Plateau State Disability Rights Commission to get a home for him and now we are working to get a tricycle (KEKE NAPEP) for him. He will get someone driving it for him and he would be earning a living from it.
Some pictures of The Visit
