The Centre for Ability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE) Accessible Aviation Advocacy Team led by Dr. Chike Okogwu continued her Sensitization and policy change work to the National Human Rights Commission Headquarters in Abuja today 20th April 2022.
The advocacy visit is part of CARE’s project support by Voice Nigeria to eliminate discrimination against Persons With Disabilities at the Airport.
The team was received by Mr A. A. Yakubu who represented the Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu SAN, who was unavoidably absent due to other official assignment.
Other officials present were The Director Vulnerable Groups Department, Mr. Dahiru S. Bobbo; Director Public Affairs and External Linkages, Halima Oyedele; Deputy Director Vulnerable Groups Department, Agharese Arase; Oluchi Adieze, Josephine Onwudiwe, Uche Garba all staff of the Vulnerable Groups Department.
Top of the agenda for discussions was the issue of the urgent need for policy changes by airlines that requires the purchase of extra tickets for accompanying aides of Persons With Disabilities.
Other issues covered was the incessant discrimination of PWD at the airport, especially boarding and disembarking and the resistance of certain stakeholders who are expected to partner with CARE just as The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and The Legislative Arms of government are all doing so far.
The meeting ended on a high point of the response of the Executive Secretary for NHRC speaking through his representative, Mr. Yakubu who made commitments of NHRC willingness and readiness to partner with CARE all the way in ensuring policy changes through partnerships in advocacies and trainings for policy changes that encourage and support Accessible Aviation.
