By Collins Nweze
The Africa Disability Protocol in Nigeria is a development that should lead to considerable improvements in the lives of African people with disabilities.
The protocol addresses some of the urgent issues that have the most disproportionate impact on people with disabilities.
Some of the issues include poverty, systemic discrimination and harmful practices and were major topics discussed at a virtual conference organized by Africa Disability Alliance, Africa Down syndrome Network, Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, Cedar Seed Foundation and Initiative for National Growth Africa (Special Needs Initiative for Growth), European Union and CBM.
The theme of the virtual meeting was “Disability Rights Dimensions in Cushioning Covid-19 Effects”.
Six countries such as Central African Republic, Rwanda, Togo, South Africa, Gabon and BurkinaFaso have adopted and ratified the Africa Disability Protocol in their countries. We believe that the process for Nigeria’s adoption and ratification is not anywhere far, hence, the reason for the two days Africa Disability Protocol Virtual Convention. This year marked a pivotal and significant stride for Nigerians towards the adoption and ratification of the Africa Disability Protocol.
Nigeria’s Civil Society Leaders and the Government convened to discuss and pledge affirmation toward the adoption and ratification of the Africa Disability Protocol on the 25th and 26th of June 2020 via a virtual conference on the Zoom Technologies.
Here are some of the key highlights of the event.
On the first day, the opening remark delivered by the Chair, Africa Down Syndrome Network and Convener Mrs. Rose Mordi – she stated that all African countries must formally adopt and ratify this African Protocol, as her network was mandated, in 2019, to ensure that all African Nations adopt the African Disability Protocol especially Nigeria. Following on that mandate, she emphasized on the fact that the main reason for this convention is to pave the way for the ratification and adoption of the African Disability Rights Protocol (ADP), after which governments on all national levels must be encouraged to adopt and ratify. Ms. Comfort Lamptey – United Nations Women Representative To Nigeria and ECOWAS gave the keynote speech where she stated that it is important to amplify the voices of women with disability and look at how their inclusion in decision making can serve to develop a more inclusive and sustainable response and recovery plan from the COVID-19 Pandemic for the whole nation.
A goodwill message was delivered to the Nigerian Citizens by Mr. Jeff Hoffman -(Award-Winning Global Entrepreneur, Proven CEO, Worldwide Motivational Speaker, Bestselling Author, Hollywood Film Producer and Executive Producer of an Emmy Award Winning Television Show). He emphasized on the need for inclusive continuous technology driven education in the country citing its relevance especially during pandemic periods like now. He strongly stated that people with disabilities want to be part of the discussion and as such, they should be part of the process for education in the future.
Also, We had a round table panel discussion with Mr. Kudakwashe Dube (CEO- Africa Disability Alliance), Ancella Ramjas – (Africa Down Syndrome Network), Lois Auta – Founder of Cedar Seed Foundation, Danlami Basharu (Chairman, UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disability), Dr. Daniel Omofoman (Director Special Program, RFID-US African Foundation) which was moderated by the Founder and Project Team Lead of Special Needs Initiative for Growth – Racheal Inegbedion”. They emphasized on The prospects for the ratification of the African Disability Protocol which includes the initial step by any government is to ratify and adopt the protocol. Then the domestication by the relevant legislative houses across States and Countries. The Key Stakeholders in the ratification and adoption of the African Disability Protocol are the Federal and State parliaments, Associations of Persons with Disabilities, African Union commissions, Regional economic commissions, Human rights commissions and Civil Society Organizations.
Participants had the opportunity to interact and ask valuable questions critical to the success of the adoption and ratification of the Africa Disability Protocol in Nigeria.
At the event of Day 1, a communique was passed by Barr. Ifenla. J. Oligbinde
Founder, Ark & Rainbow Initiative SDGs Advocate and Michael Brian Mulungi
Program Manager of the Cedar Seed Foundation.
The Vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Sebanjo Aanu from the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria.
Going forward on the second day, after the official Anchor Ms. Ndifreke Andrew-Essien – Founder Faecare Foundation recognised the dignitaries and guests, the keynote speech was made by Her Excellency Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (Senior Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on SDGs). She mentioned that there’s need for supervision through proactive community and voluntary measures and if these measures are put in place, it will help and support People With Disabilities. She encouraged that the idea of our lives in solidarity for our continent must be prevailed and sustained, as we join hands to tackle this COVID-19 crisis now and the near future for the Africa we want by 2063.
The second keynote speech was delivered by Her Excellency Dame Pauline Tallen (The Honorable Minister of Women Affairs in Nigeria). She pledged her support to the disability community and assured the organizers of the event that her door is always open for continuous engagements to ensure that the rights of women and girls with disabilities are not trampled upon. She also made assurance that she would help in getting the support of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
A Goodwill Message from the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the person of His Excellency Edward kallon was presented in absentia by Mr. Martins Ejidike. He stated that the African Union Protocol of the Right of Persons with Disability, will address the legal framework for protection of persons with disability within the African continent, which has become all the more glaring in the COVID-19 and the response to it.
Mrs. Grace Alexander from the Star Children Development Initiative in the United Kingdom delivered a goodwill message. In conclusion, she stated that all stakeholders need to put their hands on deck to ensure the adoption of the African Disability Protocol.
The convention moved on to the Question and Answers segment where the Speakers were asked various questions by the participants. The questions bordered on collaboration, participation, engagement with the government through private platforms, Civil Society Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations.
The Senior Adviser to the President on SDGs, Her Excellency Princess Adejoke ORELOPE-ADEFULIRE and the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs pledged their support and commitment in ensuring the Communique got to the corridor of power, so as to fully celebrate the success of the consultative meeting. They also pledged that recommendations and suggestions highlighted in the Communique would be implemented through necessary Bodies through the convener and other related NGOs.
After the reading and adoption of Communique by Barr. Ifenla Oligbinde, Principal Partner, Ark & Rainbow Movement and Michael Brain Mulungi, Program Manager, Cedar Seed Foundation, the vote of thanks was given by Mr. Kudakwashe Dube, CEO Africa Disability Alliance.
