President of the National Association of the Blind (NAB), Ishiyaku ADAMU, has called on government to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the society.
He said this at an event to mark the 2021 International White Cane Safety Day with the theme “Accessibility for All, Safety, Productivity and Resilience” in Abuja.
Although he commended the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for working for their interest, Adamu said persons with disabilities still live on the margin of society.
He also encouraged persons with disabilities to go into politics.
“We call on the government to remember that we do exist but before we proceed I would like to thank the Nigerian government for passing the National Disability Act and also for establishing the National Disability Commission to ensure the implementation of the National Disability Act. We say thank you. This is a huge step in the right direction.
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“We want to remind this government that the visually impaired and other persons with disability are living at the margin of the society. Most of our people cannot go to school. We don’t have access to education, we don’t have access to books. That is why we want to use this opportunity to call on the National Assembly to quickly pass the National Copyright Act. This passage of this executive bill will take care of the interest of the blind and other persons living with disabilities
“Like I earlier said, access to education is very important for the blind people. We want to see that the national policy on education includes our people at all levels. We want to see aggressive steps toward promoting an inclusive education in this country. This is what Article 24 of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says and Nigeria is a signatory to that convention.
“We would also like government to fulfill its own obligation under the convention Article 27 by ensuring promotion of inclusion of employment for our people. We have many youths in this country who are blind. They graduate, they are equal, they are capable, they have the certificate, they are willing, they are eager also to contribute their quota to the development of Nigeria but they are not employed.
“Our National Disability Act reserves five percent for employment in all government sectors for persons with disability. We are calling for a quick implementation of this particular Act today. The Nigerian government should please ensure that we have people, particularly the visually impaired in all ministries, in all sectors, in all agencies including key sectors such as NNPC, CBN, Nigeria Customs, the Presidency and so on.
“We want to see the blind people in these places. We are not only teaching. We can teach, we agree. But we can also offer service at the foreign affairs, presidency, National Assembly etc. We want to see our people everywhere. We are equal to the task. We also go to school, we also have certificates, we want the Nigerian government to promote employment opportunities for the blind and other persons with disabilities.
“In the 2023 elections, we want to see more blind people contesting for more elective positions. You should register as voters. Registration is ongoing. INEC is registering. So please go and get your voter’s card if you do not have one. Continue to contest and participate in all party politics. We are equal to the task. It is our right not a privilege. It is not reserved for those who are not disabled” he said.
Director General of the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), John Asien, said with President Buhari’s signing of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, setting up of the commission and also with directing an approval for Nigeria’s ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty, it was obvious the present administration is committed to the welfare of PWDs.
“We will continually do everything possible to add value to all that you have been asking for. One of the areas that concerns us so much is access to reading and learning materials. The NCC is working with agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure that every blind child is given a fair opportunity to learn, reading the book,” Asien said.
The Nation
