The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities(NCPWD), Mr James David Lalu has warned that persons with disabilities are manifestations of the glory of God among men and are not to be stigmatized.
Lalu said this on Saturday in Owerri during the 30th anniversary of the Congregation of the Servants of Charity in Africa.
“If you have a person with disability at home and you’re trying to cover them and hide them away from the public everyday, you don’t want them to come out, you feel like taking a person with disability to school, to church or anywhere is a shame to you, then it will be a shame on you forever,” he said.
He appealed to parents of persons with disabilities to allow them live like every other child as this will give them a sense of belonging.
“Open them, support them and give them the opportunity to become what they want to be in life,” Lalu appealed.
Speaking further, the Executive Secretary commended the contributions of indigenes of Imo state to the disability community.
“The National Disability Bill that became the National Disability Act and the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Imo state has played a major role in this regard. We have Honourable Mariam Onuoha who is a member and chairman, house committee on disability in the House of Representatives.”
Speaking at the event, the Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Servants of Charity in Africa, Rev. Fr Kelechi described Mr James David Lalu as a charismatic leader who understands his job and is capable of providing solutions to challenges faced by persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
“Since my interaction with him starting from the first time I visited him in Abuja, I have seen that he is passionate about improving the quality of life and the response the Nigerian nation is giving to persons with special needs,” he said.
