Hon. Dr. Bashiru Ayinla Daodu, the new Chairman, House of Representatives Committee On Disability has called for partnership with Organization Of Persons With Disabilities (OPDs) for greater services and inclusion of Persons With Disabilities.
He made this remark on Tuesday in his office in Abuja when he met with some leaders of different Organizations Of Persons With Disabilities (OPDs).
Dr. Daodu in his remark said that it is out of passion that he choose to head the Committee On Disability having worked with persons with disabilities for more than four years in the United States as a Medical Doctor and also his personal relationship with a person with disability as a Medical student at University Of Lagos Medical School.
He said that he called the meeting to introduce himself to the community and also to hear from the community on the best steps to take in order to effectively work with the community of persons with disabilities for the good of all persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
He promised to work with persons with disabilities in their quest for inclusion in governance, increased budget for disability issues and amendment of the existing act to better serve its purpose.
He cited example with the penalities which are not strong enough to ensure compliance to the Act.
He said that this is his first engagement meeting with the community, he proposed a more elaborate meeting with more stakeholders to help draw up agenda for the committee and it will also serve as avenue for the disability community to meet with the entire members of the committee.
He also promised that the committee will welcome the input of the disability community as they prepare to make presentation for the amendment of the Act.
He informed that the committee will be proposing a sign language interpretation at the plenary.
The Stakeholders present at the meeting, Amb Jake Epelle, CEO, TAF Africa, Grace Jerry, Executive Director, Inclusive Friends Association, Chris Agbo, Executive Director, The Qualitative Magazine, Lois Auta, Executive Director, Cedar Seeds Foundation, Dr. Chike Okogwu, Chief Responsibility Officer, CARE-NIGERIA, Barrister Yusuf Iyodo, Secretary, PWD Progressive Forum, Dare Dairo, Chairman, LASODA among others took turn to congratulate Hon. Ayinla for his emergence as the chairman of the committee and promised him that the leaders of disability community will work with the committee since he is willing to work with the community.
The Stakeholders pointed out that the committee should look into the appointment of persons with disabilities in strategic positions in governance, empowerment of persons with disabilities in the rural areas and fast track the implementation of the Disability Act and enhance compliance through legislation.
The Stakeholders also demanded that the Committee should appoint a focal person to always interface with the community, run an open door policy, hold quarterly review meetings with the community and develop a guideline that will help them achieve their set objectives as a commitee.
Jake Epelle promised to assist the committee to provide sign language interpreters at the plenary for 3 years which can be sustained following the approval of the clerk of National Assembly.
Hon. Ayinla accepted to appoint a focal person immediately, promised to lead the disability community to push for appointments on the positions like Special Advisers, Head of MDAs, Board Members etc.
He also promised PWDs that the committee is open to collect their petitions for any violation of their rights and the House will graciously attend to them.
On the issue of sign language interpretation in the plenary, he said that he will engage the The Clerk of the house immediately and the Speaker to ensure that it is approved.
He urged the Stakeholders present to extend his message to other leaders of disability community and he is ready to work with all of them to ensure that persons with disabilities feel the impact of government.
