The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria Samuela Isopi, has urged the 10th assembly to prioritize Nigerians especially persons with disabilities in the 2024 appropriation bill.
Ambassador Isopi made this call in Abuja , during an interactive session with leaders of the disability communities to commemorate the 2023 International Day Of Persons With Disabilities.
She urged the National Assembly to critically examine the gaps of the law, ensure all policies are inline with UN convention on disability community, adopt necessary amendments and implement the 2018 discrimination Against Persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act to promote inclusion of all persons in Nigeria.
Speaking further, she said that the meeting is to review what has been done and the work together to set agenda to remove the approach from sympathy to enforcement.
She commended the new government for the positive signs towards driving disability inclusion in Nigeria, signing of African Charter on the rights of persons with disabilities and appointment of personal assistant on disability matters.
While appreciating the National Assembly, she also said that in setting agenda for the future, there is need to look at the gaps on the law and push for the amendment, ensure proper implementation of the law, conduct proper oversight on disability matters and reflect disability inclusion in the ongoing appropriation bill.
The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With disabilities(NCPWD ), Mr. James David Lalu, gave assurance that the federal government is committed to the implementation of the 2018 disabilities Act while also ensuring better life for the PWDs across board.
He reminded that section 6 of the Act which talks about 5 years Transitory Period would be over by January 2024, assuming the readiness of NCPWD to enforce compliance.
Also speaking the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Disability Bashiru Dawodu, explained that the committee have the mandate and support of other members to implement the disability act 2018.
”we are looking at the policies, more importantly we think the act needs amendment because, it does not specifically address the needs of children with disabilities, Women on wheel chair, child right act, VAP Act does not capture penalty for abusers, insurance for PWDs are not properly captures, all of these must be amended” Dawodu promised.
The founder of TAF Africa, Mr Jake Epelle in his welcome address said the meeting was to enable the stakeholders from the disability communities to meet with the EU Ambassador to discuss issues affecting the PWDs and establish better synergy.
The Senior Special Assistant To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa represented by his Chief Of Staff, Barrister Iyodo Yusuf in his remark appreciated the EU Ambassador to the support towards disability inclusion and reiterated the commitment of the government towards promoting disability inclusion which was evident in the mandate given to the SSA by President to work with all MDAs to enhance inclusion of PWDs in Nigeria.
Others leaders like Dr Chike Okogwu, Lois Auta, Comrade Chris Agbo and others decried poor accessibility of public facilities by PWDs especially in school environment, lack of education support and poor participation of women with disability in decision making table, rural communities to be properly captured, having proper database for PWDs especially women with disability for better engagement towards employment opportunities, financial support and empowerment.
Others dignitaries in attendance are Hon. Victor Obuzor, House Committee Chairman on Civil Societies And Development Matters, Tracy Onabis from IFA, Mike Gideon representing JONAPWD National President, Abubakar Sharhu, FCT JONAPWD Chairman, Dr. Chris Nwanoro from Lotus Initiative for the Blind.
