TQM report,
The Executive Director of Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Mr. David Anyaele has urged Persons with Disabilities to penetrate all political parties in the state.
Mr. David in his opening remarks to commemorate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, with the theme “Leadership and Participation of Persons with Disabilities Towards An Inclusive, Accessible And Sustainable Post Covid-19, said that one of the key leadership position is the political leadership which according to him will go a long way towards enhancing participation, inclusion and equal opportunities.
“The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act provides that PwDs should be encouraged to participate in political activities which include leadership as such this year’s theme is to deepen our knowledge of what it takes for us to play this role in particular accessing justice” he said.
He further encouraged Persons with Disabilities to invade political parties and drive them to the destination they want.
“Nobody will give it to us unless we grab it. It is by participation in leadership that we will be able to keep political parties to understand what disability is all about, how to operationalize inclusive society and how to ensure that nobody is left behind in the political process”.
He also used the medium to ask president Mohammed Buhari to sign the electoral bill into law without further delay.
According to him, the bill provides for the removal of barriers and provision of necessary facilities and aids to support PwDs to participate in the electoral process.
Mr. Mobolaji Segun, the secretary of Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) gave the assurance that IPAC is ready to work with PwDs to ensure that they have representation at every strata of government.
“If we have PwDs in government, they will know how to make adequate provision and the right policy that will work for different types of disability” he concluded.
The representative of the Executive Director of Public Interest Law Partnership (PILP), Mrs Bukola also made a commitment towards partnering with CCD and OPDs to provide free probono legal services to PwDs.
“In a situation where PwDs have issues and need our legal services, they will be provided with free legal service and they can reach our WhatsApp line on 08170282967 which is available on Monday to Friday” she said.
Barr. Bolarinwa Salami, the chairman of National Association of Blind, Lagos Chapter lamented over the barriers and the stereotype perception about PwDs.
“If any organization is employing PwDs, it is either the post is exclusive for PwDs or they are doing it on sympathy or as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility and those pity prevent us from having justice, hence affecting the implementation of the law.
He further calls for the restructuring of the Lagos State office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) to incorporate special units and department.
