To advance the message of disability inclusion across the nation, Project Enable Africa, in partnership with the United States Consulate, held a virtual panel discussion in commemoration of the second anniversary of the disability rights law.
The law was passed in 2019 as a legal framework that prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
The virtual panel discussion tagged “the role of the media in shaping a disability-inclusive culture, was attended by media experts and other relevant stakeholders.
The deliberations touched on strategic ways to better report disability issues in the mainstream
media, hence creating a culture of inclusion and diversity.
“The goal of the discussion is to increase awareness, sensitization and also urge media practitioners, who shape national discourse and culture, on the need to creatively and
strategically use the media towards a more inclusive society”, says Olusola Owonikoko, the Project Director of Project Enable Africa.
Claire Pierangelo, the United States consul general, in her remarks, applauded Project Enable for such a laudable approach towards enhancing disability inclusion, she further encouraged journalists to be inclusive in their ideas.
According to her, “one of the priorities of the US Consulate is to support human right and create economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.”
Further in her keynote address, the US consul general emphasized that “Persons with disabilities shouldn’t be treated with pity but be treated with a sense of resilience and accomplishment by promoting awareness and proper understanding of disability issues.”
Fielding questions during the panel discussion, one of the panelists, a veteran development and communications expert, Akin Jimoh, encouraged journalists to celebrate PWDs and also journal the challenges they face on a daily basis
Victor Oteri, an on-air personality with Lagos Traffic radio, who was also on the panel, lamented that disability matters receive little or no attention from journalists in Nigeria due to the lack of understanding of issues surrounding PWDs.
“It’s high time the media stopped focusing only on the personality of persons with disabilities, we need to discuss the crucial things that affect them”, Victor reiterated.
Another panelists, Miss Folashade Salimonu, Programs Manager Lagos Television, encouraged journalists to relate more with PWDs, and that will require putting oneself in their shoes as this will reflect in the quality of stories.
Miss Salimonu also highlighted the importance of using the right words when reporting disability matters, stating that some words can be offensive.
The General Manager, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, Dare Dairo, in his keynote remark assured that the agency remains resolute in its approach towards advancing the rights of PWDs in Lagos. He asked for the continued support of the media in reshaping the disability
narrative.
“The media acts as a watchdog, we must increase awareness and put the perspective of persons with disabilities on national issues; be it sports and politics or health” Dairo explained.
