By Oliver Nweke
A new association, Journalist For Disability Inclusion (J4DI) has inducted over thirty journalists committed to the coverage of issues of persons with disabilities in the country.
The project proposed by The Albino Foundation (TAF) is powered by the European Union/ British Council/ Agent for Citizens Driven Transformation Programme (EU/BC/ACT).
The president and founder of TAF, Mr Jakes Epelle giving his key note address at the event which held at the Hotel Bentley Utako, Abuja said that the desire to have a body of journalists dedicated to the coverage of PWDs took root over 10 years ago and has finally been realized.
He added that issues of persons with disabilities is grossly under reported in the media and that the narrative has to change with the induction of the new members of J4DI.
Epelle called for skill empowerment in the media to better enhance productivity in the reportage of PWDs as well as a better understanding of the terminologies used in the community.
His words, “great things start small, and I am afraid of things that grow big without a base, because they will eventually become small, this is an opportunity to expand and become better.
“to make the kind of impact that we desire to see we need to be properly educated, have the right capacity and know the right terminology, so we can navigate the disability community”.
He called for collaboration with the international communities, donor agencies, minister of women affairs, INEC to serve as patrons that can facilitate better working conditions.
He advised that the association should leverage on its network to ensure that they are added into the pool of media for various organisations to ensure their visibility.
Earlier the National Coordinator of the association, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, who doubles as the National Union of Journalist, Chairman, FCT chapter noted that with the passage of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018 there was a need to ensure implementation of the act across all the states of the federation.
He lamented that in spite of the Act, a known political party skimmed out a candidate with disability in favour of another because of his disability, adding that such injustices must be brought to light and corrected.
His words,” we must become agents of change, with this affirmation taken today, the change start with us”.
The interim national executive have also been inaugurated and commenced work immediately.
