Otukpo, Benue State — The need for greater protection of the rights and dignity of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Benue State took center stage recently as the Hope Alive for Possibilities Initiative (HAPI) renewed its call for the domestication of the Nigeria Disability Act within the state. The appeal was made during a dynamic two-day Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Advocacy Workshop held in Otukpo, Benue State, aimed at empowering grassroots women and youths with disabilities.
The event, organized by HAPI with the support of the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF), brought together PWDs, rights advocates, community leaders, and key stakeholders to address the systemic barriers facing persons with disabilities and chart a sustainable path forward.
Disability Rights at a Crossroads: Benue Yet to Domesticate National Law
Delivering her keynote address, Aver Akighir, Executive Director of HAPI, did not mince words as she lamented the prolonged delay in Benue State’s adoption of the Nigeria Disability Act, which was enacted at the federal level in 2018. Despite the Act being domesticated by many states across Nigeria, Benue remains conspicuously behind, leaving thousands of its citizens with disabilities vulnerable to discrimination and marginalization.
“For far too long, our voices have been drowned out. The non-domestication of the Nigeria Disability Act in Benue continues to deprive persons with disabilities of basic rights—access to quality education, healthcare, employment, and political participation. We are calling on the state government and stakeholders to act swiftly. We deserve the same legal protections as our counterparts in other states,” Akighir passionately stated.
She commended the state government for its recent move to address these concerns, revealing that the Disability Bill had already passed its first reading at the Benue State House of Assembly. However, she stressed that the journey was far from over.
“Passing the Bill into law is not the final victory. We must push for effective implementation. Our community must continue to engage stakeholders, advocate strategically, and demand accountability to see real change,” Akighir urged.
Empowering Women and Youths with Disabilities at the Grassroots
The workshop, which had earlier been successfully held in Makurdi and Gboko, was designed to ensure that no community in Benue is left behind. The choice of Otukpo was deliberate, targeting grassroots women and youths with disabilities, a demographic often neglected in mainstream conversations.
Akighir used the platform to rally participants, urging unity and collective advocacy. She emphasized that one of the most potent tools for change lies within the PWD community itself—the power to speak out, organize, and challenge the status quo.
“We must be our own advocates. We must support one another, share knowledge, and challenge discriminatory systems together. The time to stay silent has long passed,” she told participants.
Legal Awareness and Advocacy Strategies: Building a Stronger Front
One of the key facilitators, Mercy Jovkyundan, delivered a powerful session on the existing legal frameworks available to protect persons with disabilities. She drew attention to critical instruments such as:
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- The Global Disability Summit Commitments
- Nigeria’s 2018 Disability Act
Jovkyundan underscored how the absence of domestication of these frameworks in Benue has hindered opportunities, especially for women and youths with disabilities.
“The lack of legal backing in the state directly affects your access to quality education, healthcare, decent jobs, and full societal participation,” she stated.
She went further to equip participants with practical advocacy strategies, including networking, persistence, self-confidence, lobbying, and the importance of concrete evidence when asserting rights violations.
“You have a right to live with dignity, free from discrimination. Know the laws, own them, and don’t hesitate to leverage them,” Jovkyundan encouraged.
Voices of Experience: Participants Share Personal Struggles
The workshop became even more poignant when participants shared personal testimonies of exclusion and hardship. Mary Ejeh and Samson Ichekpa, two of the attendees, emotionally recounted the daily challenges they face navigating a society that often overlooks their abilities and potential.
“It has been a lonely battle,” Ejeh shared. “But thanks to workshops like this, I now know my rights and feel empowered to advocate not just for myself, but for others in similar situations.”
Ichekpa echoed the sentiment, emphasizing how the enlightenment received during the workshop ignited a renewed determination to break through barriers.
Looking Ahead: A Renewed Commitment to Disability Inclusion in Benue
HAPI’s Executive Director closed the event by reaffirming her organization’s dedication to seeing the Disability Bill fully passed and implemented in Benue State. She extended heartfelt appreciation to the Disability Rights Advocacy Fund (DRAF) for its continuous support, promising that the organization would not relent in championing the cause of PWDs.
“This workshop is not the end, but the beginning of a sustained movement. We will continue to engage, to demand, and to push until every person with a disability in Benue enjoys their rightful place in society,” Akighir declared.
As the participants left the venue, they did so not only with a deeper understanding of their rights but with a shared commitment to building a more inclusive, just, and accessible Benue State.
