Dignitaries at the 16th year anniversary of Kpakpando Foundation for Persons With Disabilities, an NGO founded by Senator Osita Izunaso on Saturday made a case for the rights and ceding of 15 per cent of PWDs in employment in Nigeria.
They included Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; and a former Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, Dino Melaye.
During the event with the theme “5% employment inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria: Time to walk the talk”, they argued that PWDs should not be deprived of their rights on account of their condition.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of medals of honour and other rewards to the victorious Paralympians of Tokyo 2020 by the by the dignitaries.
Fayemi, who was the chairman of the occasion, said his state had “signed into law the Disability Act and also subscribed to the 5 per cent employment inclusion.”
He added that the state “did not only sign the Act but has also established an Office for Disability Commission and populated it with technology equipment.”
He said Ekiti State had also set up Disability Council to manage their affairs, adding that the state would continue to commit to inclusiveness.
Ngige said the Federal Government was ready to implement the law mandating that 5 per cent of jobs at both private and public sectors are allocated to people living with disabilities.
He said service wide circular would be sent to all the ministries and parastatals by next week.
Melaye urged the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to immediately implement the part of the law that has been passed on the 5 per cent inclusion on employment.
“The only way government can show consciousness that there is no disparity or discrimination between PWDs and others is for government to implement that Act that is already passed for that 5 per cent to be implemented,” he said.
