By Kehinde Olatunji, Abigail Ikhaghu and Dennis Erezi,
The Nigerian Business Disability Network (NBDN) has stressed the need to respect rights of people with disabilities (PWDs) in the workplace, explaining that it will uphold the country’s value for dignity, respect and generosity.
It lamented that some of these cherished heritages had been relegated. A report by the United Nations revealed that over one billion people worldwide have disability, accounting for 15 per cent of global population, with close to 18 million of them of working age, while only about 0.3 per cent are fully employed.
Among the engaged few, majority are reportedly experiencing different barriers in their places of work.
This was disclosed, yesterday, at the Nigeria Diversity and Inclusion Conference, organised by NBDN with the theme, “Eliminating Barriers Against Inclusive Workplaces In The Private Sector.”
Chairperson, NBDN, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, gave the charge, yesterday, at an event to commemorate the 2022 Global Accessibility Awareness Day, in Lagos.
She said Nigeria, “is still in the infant stage of promoting a comprehensive and coordinated march towards disability inclusion, whether with human rights or sustainable development.” tices and local regulations.”
In his keynote address, Disability Inclusion Consultant, World Bank Group, Nigeria, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, regretted that only 0.3 per cent of this special persons were gainfully employed, adding that a number of them encounter barriers.
He stressed the need to create opportunities for everyone without discrimination, stating that when companies employ people with disabilities, “they are more secure and responsible.”
Executive Director, Project Enable, Olusola Owonikoko, equally canvassed inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace, insisting that the move would boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
MEANWHILE, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has assured PWDs of inclusion and ease of participation during elections.
Responding, CCD’s Programmes Officer, Peter Ekemini, who presented an election monitoring report to LASIEC, said PwDs experienced systematic exclusion during previous national and state elections in Nigeria. He explained that polling materials were often sited at inaccessible locations.
