TQM report,
The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr. James David Lalu has said that the overall objective of NCPWD is to give voice to the dump, sight to the blind, limb to the lame, ear to the deaf and relief to Persons with other forms of disabilities.
Speaking at a recent interview granted to African Independent Television (AIT), Lalu reiterated that persons with disabilities have been neglected for too long in the country. He added that the commission was principally established for economic empowerment, social justice and overall development of Persons with disabilities.
He moreover, seized the occasion to applaud President Muhammadu Buhari whom he described as an exceptional leader who has demonstrated empathy towards the disabled community by establishing a Federal Government Order to cater for their needs.
The ES spoke passionately about his recent engagement with the Federal Civil Service Commission and Federal Character Commission where he put up a strong argument concerning the rate of unemployment of persons with disabilities.
He also mentioned the recent collaboration of the Commission with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to providing affordable housing for the disabled community.
However, he lamented that over 30 million persons with disabilities did not receive the needed attention from previous administrations in Nigeria due to the huge gap between the government and the governed.
The ES further expressed his satisfaction at the genuine passion demonstrated by the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk for Persons with Disabilities and her support for the Commission since its inception.
On the other hand, Lalu decried the predisposed conducts recently demonstrated by Dana Air towards some persons with disabilities and promised that a legal action will be taken against such callous behaviours in future.
He therefore, called on the media and other stakeholders in Nigeria to partner with NCPWD in order to take the special community to its rightful place.
Finally, the ES expressed optimism that given an equal platform, Persons with disabilities would aspire towards occupying political offices in Nigeria in order to make the desired difference.
Mbanefo JohnMichael I. Head of Media and Publicity (NCPWD)11th June, 2021
