Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) as part of commemoration of the passage of disability act on Friday, 17th January, 2020 held the first award night to honour those who contributed immensely to ensure that we have a disability law in Nigeria. The Disability Champion Award is a rewarding system CCD adopted which would be coming up every year to honour people who have been contributing in no small measure to the success CCD has recorded and what CCD is still doing in the area of National Disability Act.
Executive Director, CCD David Anyaele in his remark said that if not for the contribution of these outstanding individuals, we may not be celebrating today. The rights of persons with disabilities is vital because it provides opportunity where persons with disabilities can interact with others equally. He said that the 18 years struggle before actualizing disability act in Nigeria is worth celebrating and, in this celebration, we must recognize individuals who contributed in different ways from the advocacy to passage of the bill to the advocacy to the signing of the bill into law.
The event witnessed a panel discussion which involved seasoned disability and human rights advocates, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Barr. Okey Kanu, Theophilus Odaudu, it was moderated by Kie Obamalu. They discussed the way forward towards ensuring the implementation of the act.
The Permanent Secretary of SGF Olusegun Adekunle who was a special guest at the event in his remark reiterated his commitment to assisting the persons with disabilities towards the establishment of National Disability Commission but he said that he awaits the implementation strategy document which can aid his recommendations.
CCD graciously rewarded the following people for their outstanding contribution towards the passage and enactment of disability with Disability Champion Award of Excellence 2019.
- Hon. Jerry Ugokwe, Member, 5th NASS in recognition of his effort in sponsoring the Disability Bill at the House of Representatives in 2004
- Omueza Diana Orouvie, a Reporter, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in recognition of her outstanding print reportage on disability issues in the year 2019.
- TVC Breakfast Show, in recognition of their outstanding visual media coverage of disability issues in the year 2019.
- Omo Bazuaye in recognition of his outstanding reportage on disability issues in the year 2019.
- Ruth Tent Natsa in recognition of her outstanding reportage on disability issues in the year 2019
- Dr. Irene Ojiugo Patrick-Ogbogu, Disability Rights Advocacy Centre (DRAC) in recognition of her outstanding contribution in the passage of Disability Act 2018
- Policy and Legislative Advocacy Center (PLAC) in recognition of their outstanding support for the passage of Disability Act 2018.
- Mr. M.D. Hassan in recognition of his outstanding technical support to the passage of the Disability Act 2018.
- Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu in recognition of his outstanding advocacy for the passage of Disability Act 2018.
- Radio Nigeria in recognition of their outstanding audio reportage on disability issues in the year 2019.
- Mr. Dawodu Sulaiman in recognition of his outstanding advocacy for the passage of Disability Act 2018.
