In a landmark move to deepen disability inclusion in Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has announced plans to establish a Strategic Response Plan Team. This initiative is aimed at ensuring Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are adequately represented and included in the ministry’s programs and activities.
The announcement was made during a high-profile meeting on Monday with key leaders of the disability community, led by Ambassador Jake Epelle, the Founder and CEO of TAF Africa. The minister’s declaration marks a significant step toward addressing long-standing concerns of exclusion and underrepresentation of PWDs in government initiatives.
A Personal Connection to Disability
Prof. Yilwatda’s passion for disability inclusion is deeply personal. Sharing his own journey, he revealed that he has lived with a disability since childhood, as he was born without a sense of smell. A product of the Government Secondary School, Gindiri in Plateau State, where blind people and other persons with disabilities are accomodated, the minister credited his educational journey and professional success to the support he received as a person with a disability.
His commitment to disability advocacy extends beyond personal experience. As a former official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he worked closely with committees that included PWDs to develop frameworks for their inclusion in Nigeria’s electoral processes.
“I understand the challenges, and I am determined to address them,” the minister stated, emphasizing that his administration would ensure that a percentage of all empowerment programs under the ministry is reserved for PWDs.
Data and Representation: A Collaborative Approach
One of the major challenges identified during the meeting was the lack of accurate data on PWDs, even in critical settings like Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Prof. Yilwatda assured the community that his ministry would partner with disability leaders to harness reliable data.
“We will rely on the disability community to help us identify and select beneficiaries across all states. This will make our empowerment programs more effective and inclusive,” he said.
He also announced plans to collaborate with international agencies to mainstream PWDs in the humanitarian response plan. According to him, “Every humanitarian response plan must include clear targets and strategies for addressing disability issues.”
Formation of the Response Plan Team
In a show of commitment, the minister approved the nomination of nine prominent disability advocates to form part of the Response Plan Team. The team will include:
- Ambassador Jake Epelle
- Rex Erameh
- Dr. Chike Okogwu
- Lois Auta
- Dr. Chris Nwanoro
- Ekaete Umoh
- Dr. Adebukola Adebayo (representing the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, NCPWD)
- Abdullahi Adamu, National President of JONAPWD
- Mohammed Abba Isa, SSA to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities.
- The mindustry will nominate three of their staff to be part of the team.
The team will work alongside ministry officials to develop actionable strategies for disability inclusion. The official launch of the Response Plan Team is scheduled for February 1, 2025.
Voices from the Disability Community
During the meeting, several leaders from the disability community shared their perspectives, highlighting key areas for collaboration and action:
- Lois Auta, Executive Director of CedarSeed Foundation, called attention to the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities. “Women with disabilities are doubly vulnerable, facing challenges of both gender and disability. We must address their concerns with intentionality,” she said.
- Dr. Chris Nwanoro, a member of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) Committee, urged the ministry to collaborate with him to attract international opportunities for Nigeria. He also invited the minister to lead the Nigerian delegation to the UN headquarters in March 2025 during the inauguration of the UNCRPD Committee.
- Abdullahi Adamu, National President of JONAPWD, expressed gratitude for the minister’s consultative approach. “This meeting provides a rare opportunity to integrate best practices for disability inclusion into the ministry’s programs,” he noted.
- Dr. Chike Okogwu, representing the House Committee on Disabilities’ technical committee, emphasized the need for full implementation of the Disability Act. “We must be intentional and proactive in enforcing the provisions of the Act,” he stressed.
- Ekaete Umoh, a UN disability coordinator, highlighted the importance of partnerships in promoting disability inclusion in humanitarian responses. “We need to focus on collaboration to ensure no one is left behind in humanitarian efforts,” she stated.
- Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of the NCPWD, commended the minister for fostering a productive relationship with the Commission. He called for collaboration on the ongoing development of guidelines for disability inclusion in social intervention programs.
Hope for a More Inclusive Future
The meeting ended on a hopeful note, with the minister reaffirming his commitment to working closely with the disability community. “Together, we will create a future where PWDs are not just included but are actively contributing to the development of our country,” he concluded.
The event, which brought together leaders from various disability clusters, marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive governance. The Response Plan Team’s upcoming launch is eagerly anticipated as a potential game-changer for disability inclusion in the country.
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