TQM Report,
In commemoration of International Day for Persons With Disabilities, the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities is set to organize the first National Disability Summit to bring together the best of the best among persons with disabilities in Nigeria to showcase ability in an Disability.
This was disclosed Mr James David Lalu, the Executive Secretary of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) during a world press conference organized by NCPWD to mark International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
Mr. Lalu in his speech said that the Commission would be providing a platform for PWDs to showcase their potentials and ability come Dec.9, a day the Commission under the Chairmanship of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Solomon Lalong and Special Guest, Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo to mark the International Day of Persons with Disability.
Recalling that every 3rd of December is a day mapped out by United Nations to mark International Day for Persons With Disabilities with the year’s theme “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”
“The Day is set aside to observe, create awareness on disability and celebrate PWDs.
Mr. James said that this year’s celebration is special and will be a bit different from that of last year’s because, NCPWD which was established in 2020 will be celebrating this year’s IDPD in a grand style.
He eulogized President Muhammadu Buhari describing him as the best president in the history of Nigeria going by what he has done for PWDs.
“Today, we have a commission which has come to stay courtesy of President Muhammadu Buhari, he is the only president in the history of Nigeria that is disability friendly.
“The National Summit on Disability will hold on Dec.9 and it is expected to bring together PWDs, government officials, media and relevant stakeholders from across the world to discuss how to change the narrative for PWDs in Nigeria.
”PWDs are set to showcase talents and potentials from the community to prove that there is ability in disability. It would a day that Nigeria would stand still for the disability community,” Lalu said.
“Today is Parasoccer final, it is one way we marking the IDPD, PWDs are known for bringing glory and honour to Nigeria through Parasport, persons without disabilities will for competitition, they will not bring any medal not even ordinary metal but PWDs are always bring home medals, something that those without disability could not do,” Mr. Lalu said
Mr. Lalu informed that the Commission had entered into effective collaboration with the Nigeria Police and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali, was committed towards ensuring that the Nigerian police enforce Nigerian Disability Act.
“The IG has established Disability Desk/unit in all Divisions across the federation”.
“Very soon, the police would start training officers to handle activities on the Disability Desk in all Police formations”
He also informed that soon the enforcement of accessibility minimum standard in all public buildings would began, he called on all public building holders at the Federal, state and local council level to stick to the building code because the enforcement would begin in the next two years.
“The Commission will ensure that there would be standard ramps for accessibility for wheelchair users across the country.
He informed that the Commission is determined to develop a unify sign language (Nigerian Sign Language).
“When you go round our country, different zones have different sign language and the sign language we are using here is American Sign Language, we should have our indigenous sign language that will be understood by all deaf persons in Nigeria”.
TQM learnt that the National Disability Summit would bring together leaders of disability from different states, members of National Assembly, International Communities, donor agencies, Civil Society groups, entertainers with disabilities and it would also provide opportunity for the Commission to honour those who have contributed immensely towards promoting disability inclusion in Nigeria.
Watch The Full Speech of The Executive Secretary, NCPWD, Mr. James David Lalu below:
