In a powerful demonstration of government commitment to inclusion, compassion, and social protection, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has distributed over 600 relief materials to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) residing at the Yangoje Leprosy Colony in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The humanitarian intervention, which took place on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, was aimed at alleviating hardship, strengthening food security, and improving the welfare of one of the most marginalized disability communities in the nation.
Leading the exercise was the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan Burki, who reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to protecting the dignity, welfare, and rights of Persons with Disabilities across Nigeria.
Speaking during the distribution, Hon. Gufwan emphasized that while relief materials provide immediate support, the Commission’s broader vision is focused on long-term empowerment and economic self-reliance for Persons with Disabilities.
“Our desire is not just to give handouts but to empower Persons with Disabilities to be self-reliant and economically independent. When you look around this community and see the number of families and children here, it is clear that dependency alone cannot address the growing needs,” he stated.
He stressed that sustainable inclusion must go beyond periodic interventions and translate into empowerment programs that enable PWDs to live with dignity and independence.
The NCPWD boss commended NEMA for its timely response and collaboration, describing the intervention as a model of inter-agency partnership that places vulnerable citizens at the center of governance.
“This intervention shows NEMA’s responsiveness to the plight of Persons with Disabilities. We encourage the Agency to replicate this support in other disability communities across the country,” he added.
Hon. Gufwan also issued a strong warning against the resale of the relief items, noting that such actions would defeat the purpose of the intervention.
“These items are strictly for your use. We do not want to see them in the market. I have already spoken with the Emir, and a task force will be set up to monitor their proper use and report back to us,” he cautioned.
Receiving the items on behalf of the community, the Emir of the Yangoje Leprosy Colony, Alhaji Ali Isah, expressed heartfelt appreciation to NCPWD and NEMA, describing the intervention as timely and life-saving, especially for families struggling to meet basic needs amid economic hardship.
He assured that the relief materials would be fairly distributed and responsibly utilized to ease the suffering of residents within the colony.
Also lending his voice, the North Central Coordinator of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Comrade Mike Gideon, praised the Executive Secretary of NCPWD for what he described as fatherly leadership and uncommon dedication to the disability community.
Comrade Gideon equally acknowledged the Federal Government’s intervention but stressed that more attention must be given to critical infrastructure, including electricity, access roads, and other essential social amenities within the colony.
“While we appreciate this support, there is still a need for sustainable infrastructure development to improve the quality of life of residents here,” he noted, urging beneficiaries to make prudent use of the distributed items.
The relief materials, distributed under the supervision of NCPWD and NEMA officials, included 300 bags of 25kg rice, 300 bags of 25kg beans, 150 cartons of spaghetti, 30 cartons of tomato paste, 30 bags of iodized salt, 30 cartons of seasoning cubes, and 30 five-litre kegs of vegetable oil.
Other essential non-food items provided were 300 water purification kits, 300 blankets, and 300 sleeping mats, all aimed at improving hygiene, comfort, and overall well-being of the beneficiaries.
The intervention underscores the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that Persons with Disabilities are not left behind in humanitarian responses, social protection programs, and national development initiatives.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges, stakeholders have called for scaled-up disability-inclusive policies and sustained partnerships to address both the immediate and long-term needs of Persons with Disabilities across the country.
— Reported by Ishaku Kigbu (ANIPR)
Head, Media and Publicity
National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD)
17 December 2025
