By Kenneth Alabaraonye, TQM correspondent
GLOBAL HOPE AND JUSTICE on 10th of December, 2020 in Abuja organized National Disability Summit to commemorate International Day of Persons with disabillities IDPWD 2020
The executive director GLOBAL HOPE AND JUSTICE in his opening speech called for a holistic inclusive approach to the plight and predicament of persons with disability in post covid-19 in Nigeria. He made this call in tandem with the year’s international day of persons with disabilities theme (Building back better towards a Disability inclusive, accessible and sustainable post covid-19 world). He further said that is a Clarion call to all policy makers on the need to bridge the gully gap of penury been created by covid-19 induced poverty ,pain and suffering to millions of persons with disabilities in Nigeria who as it stands today are periphery of the periphery, he said beyond the difficulties of the PWDs encounter as a result of the prevalent socio-political cum economic cataclysms, there seems to be in the opinion of many, total conscious and or unconscious neglect the concerns of PWDs especially in areas of economic inclusion and empowerment.
“Albeit, I must mention with a heart full of gracias the enactment of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (prohibition) act 2018 by the current government and the most recent establishment of the national disability commission by Mr. President”.
This is the best gift of democracy given to about 31.7 millions of persons with disabilities in Nigeria since the creation of Nigeria as country and further described it as a promise kept.
Furthermore, he urged the newly created national disability commission ably lead by his friend and brother; Mr James Lalu to ensure that there is a sustained reorientation program aimed at changing this aged long mindset which is a product of socio-cultural beliefs and norms of our people, saying that to whom much is given much is expected and there’s no doubt in my mind that Mr. James Lalu and Hon. Dr. Hussain Kangiwa with his team as the chairman of the governing council of the commission will lay a solid foundation as the pioneer leaders of the commission upon which others will build. “Posterity will not be fair to you if you fail for whatever reason to use this golden opportunity given to you by Mr President to Carter for millions of persons with disabilities in Nigeria” he said.
As the national assembly is at verge of amending the 1999 constitution and the electoral act, he demanded that it should contain affirmative action on persons with disabilities from national and local government level.
Dr. Sam Amadi Ass. Professor Baze University,Former chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission and chairman board of trustees The Albino Foundation in his speech at the public lecture of the occasion topic “BREAKING THE BARRIERS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NIGERIA” urged the the government to help the newly established National Commission Disability Commission to operate without political influence and also begin to make public buildings, transportation systems, health sector accessible and education Inclusive with equal employment for people with disabilities in Nigeria.
Mr. Femi Ogunleye, the representive of Hon. Dr. Hussaini Kangiwa The Chairman National Disability Commission for persons with Disabilities who in his speech stated the commitment of The Chairman National Commission for persons with Disabilities to address all the challenges of persons with Disabilities in Nigeria and will support the executive secretary of the commission to achieve it’s mandate.
Other dignitaries at the event are Professor Mutiullah Olasupo, University of Abuja, Mr Ahmed M. Kaoje representing MD/CEO,FBMN, Comr. Mohammed Abba Isah Advocate for Disability Rights and Inclusive Development Yobe State and The special Adviser to the governor of sokoto state on Disability matters, Hon. Abdul-Azeez Ibrahim who received an award of excellence in service and commitment to Disability issues in his state on behalf of his excellency, Gov. Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.
