…As Townhall Meeting Unveils Shocking Realities, Sparks Renewed Commitment to Disability Rights
In a spirited townhall meeting that brought together dozens of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Bende Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia State, the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons has called on PWDs to take the lead in raising awareness and sensitising their communities on disability-related issues.
The event, held as part of a statewide advocacy tour by the Commission, resonated with powerful messages of resilience, self-empowerment, and inclusive governance. Speaking at the gathering, Mr. David Anyaele, Chairman of the Commission and Special Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, charged PWDs to rise above societal stigma and discrimination by becoming agents of change in their respective communities.
“No one will do it for us. We are the ones who must rise and speak for ourselves. But we can only do that effectively when we are informed and knowledgeable about disability issues,” Anyaele declared, his voice filled with passion and urgency.
Anyaele emphasized the importance of understanding the rights of PWDs, especially as they relate to participation in governance, access to services, and protection from abuse. He urged participants to report any cases of discrimination or harmful practices to the local government chairman or directly to the Commission, assuring them that appropriate legal and administrative steps would be taken to secure justice.
“If anyone suffers any form of discrimination or their rights are violated, the matter should be reported immediately. We will invoke the instruments of the state to address and correct such abuses. Everyone deserves dignity, regardless of their physical condition,” he stated.
He also condemned the widespread isolation, rejection, and marginalisation faced by PWDs in rural communities of Bende, noting that cultural misconceptions and ignorance continue to fuel harmful practices against persons living with disabilities. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering an environment of inclusiveness and equal opportunity.
Anyaele revealed that the townhall was one of several engagements already held in five LGAs across Abia State, with the remaining 12 to be visited in the coming weeks. According to him, the goal is to gather firsthand information on the lived realities and peculiar challenges of PWDs in all the LGAs to inform policy and program development.
“We are cataloguing the peculiarities of persons with disabilities in all LGAs of the state. What affects someone in Bende may not be the same as in Aba North. This data will help us design targeted interventions that truly reflect the needs of our people,” he explained.
Earlier in the meeting, Mr. John Okoronkwo, Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Bende LGA Chapter, painted a grim picture of the daily struggles of PWDs in the area. He listed discrimination, societal rejection, high unemployment rates, and the inaccessibility of public spaces as some of the key challenges facing members of the disability community.
“Our people are suffering. Many are unable to get jobs not because they are not qualified, but because of stigma. Public buildings are not accessible, and some of us are still hidden away in homes due to shame or community pressure,” Okoronkwo lamented.
His remarks sparked a heartfelt reaction from the LGA Chairman, Mr. Bassey Uwabunkonye, who commended the Commission’s initiative and pledged to work closely with the disability community to promote inclusive governance in Bende.
“We are happy that this meeting has opened our eyes to the urgent needs of persons with disabilities. The door has now been opened for their inclusion in everything we do, especially in our budgeting processes. Their voices must be heard and respected,” Uwabunkonye assured.
He further promised that the local government would follow up with practical steps, including establishing a disability desk, enhancing accessibility of public buildings, and involving PWDs in decision-making platforms.
The townhall was well attended by leaders and members from various disability clusters, including the visually impaired, physically challenged, individuals with spinal cord injuries, intellectual disabilities, and other disability types. The atmosphere was one of solidarity, reflection, and a renewed call to action.
TQM reports that the gathering is part of a broader statewide engagement by the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons aimed at deepening inclusion, ending stigma, and building a disability-friendly society that leaves no one behind.
As the meeting came to a close, one powerful message lingered in the hearts of attendees: true inclusion is not a favour — it is a right, and it starts with awareness, advocacy, and united voices from within the community.
#DisabilityInclusion #AbiaForPWDs #PWDVoicesMatter #InclusiveGovernance #DavidAnyaele #BendeLGA #DisabilityAwareness #JONAPWD #EndStigmaNow #AccessibilityMatters #TQMReports
