…As Governor’s Wife, Experts, and Stakeholders Call for Inclusive Budgets, Structures, and Systems at the Grassroots
In a landmark move that signals a new era for grassroots governance in Nigeria, the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, has held a transformative training workshop for local government council chairmen on disability law implementation and inclusive governance.
The high-level capacity-building workshop, which took place in Umuahia on Thursday, was supported by the European Union under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Nigeria.
It marked the first of its kind in Nigeria, aimed at equipping council bosses with the tools, legal insight, and practical strategies to implement disability laws and mainstream disability inclusion into local governance structures, planning, and budgeting.
A Mandate Rooted in the Vision of Governor Alex Otti
Chairman of the Commission and Special Assistant to the Governor on Persons with Disabilities, Mr. David Anyaele, set the tone of the event with a compelling presentation titled: “Disability Rights and Models, Disability Laws in Nigeria, and Disability-Inclusive Budgeting.”
Anyaele, a prominent disability rights advocate, emphasized that the workshop was not just a technical exercise, but a direct response to the mandate of Governor Alex Otti, who has committed to ensuring full inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in every tier and facet of government.
“This is the first time in Nigeria that council chairpersons are being brought together specifically to learn how to domesticate and implement disability laws in their jurisdictions,” Anyaele said. “Disability inclusion is not charity—it is a constitutional and legal obligation. Budgets must reflect this. Development plans must reflect this. Governance must reflect this.”
He stressed that the time had come for local governments—the closest tier of government to the people—to begin integrating disability issues into their policies, budgeting frameworks, and service delivery mechanisms.
First Lady Champions Inclusive Governance
Adding a voice of compassion and advocacy to the event, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, through her representative, the wife of the Deputy Governor, Lady Adaeze Emetu, called for sustained awareness and institutional reforms at the grassroots level.
“Our challenges are clear,” she noted. “Low awareness, weak institutional capacity, and lack of inclusive budgeting have kept PWDs sidelined for too long. Many local government leaders are unaware of their statutory duties to PWDs, and as a result, policies and services often exclude them.”
Mrs. Otti urged council officials to see disability inclusion as a pillar of effective governance and a moral imperative for building an equitable society. “Disability-inclusive governance is not a special issue. It is fundamental to good governance. We must build local governments that are havens of inclusivity, opportunity, and dignity for all,” she charged.
Ministry of Poverty Alleviation Warns: Responsibility Starts With You
In a powerful contribution, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ms. Ngozi Felix, represented by the ministry’s Technical Assistant on Donor-Funded Programmes, Obinna Uzuegbu, reminded participants that the Abia State Disability Law squarely places responsibility for inclusion on local government officials.
“You are the closest to the people. You are the first responders to their needs. You are also the first offenders if your governance excludes any segment of your constituents,” she said. “This workshop is designed to empower you with legal and operational knowledge to become true champions of inclusion.”
A New Mindset, A New Path Forward
Speaking on behalf of the participating chairmen, the Chairman of Ikwuano LGA, Mr. Anthony Nwaubani, described the workshop as an “eye-opener” that had altered their understanding of disability issues.
“This programme has deepened our understanding. We now realise there are things we overlooked—our building designs, council chambers, job placement policies. We are going back to review and restructure to make sure PWDs are not left out,” he stated.
Mr. Nwaubani added that local governments must start viewing inclusion not as an add-on, but as an essential principle of leadership and development.
An Inclusive Abia is Possible
TQM reports that the training was attended by all council chairmen across Abia State, technical experts, disability rights advocates, and representatives from international development partners.
As the curtain fell on the day’s engagements, the message was crystal clear: disability inclusion is not negotiable. It is not charity. It is a fundamental human right backed by law and driven by the values of equity and justice.
With this pioneering initiative, Abia State has taken a giant step toward becoming a model for inclusive governance in Nigeria—a state where every citizen, regardless of physical ability, has a voice, a place, and a future.
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