Some stakeholders in the disability community have faulted the composition of the governing council of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities approved by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), alleging an error in the process.

While commending the president for taking the bold step to establish the commission, the stakeholders, however, alleged that major disability groups like autism, down syndrome, leprosy, albinism and intellectual disability were not considered in the appointment.

Buhari had on August 24, 2020, approved the composition of the governing council of the commission and also appointed the commission’s Executive Secretary.

These were contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled “President Buhari approves appointment of chairman, members of council and Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities.”

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the Governing Council and appointment of Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in line with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019.

“According to the Act, the commission shall be headed by a part-time chairman and six members who shall be persons with disabilities representing the geo-political zones of the federation subject to confirmation of the Senate for a four-year term of office in the first instance and may be reappointed for a second term of four years and no more.

“The Executive Secretary, who shall be responsible to the council for the implementation of the policies and administration of the daily affairs of the commission, shall also be a person with a disability with a five-year tenure in the first instance, and may be reappointed for a second term and no more.”

But speaking in an exclusive interview with PUNCH HealthWise on the expectation of the disability community from the commission, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Albino Foundation, Mr. Jake Epelle, however, said they have observed an error in the President’s appointment.

Epelle said the error was capable of creating disaffection in the running of the commission if not urgently corrected.

He said, “We are grateful that the president has kept to his promise. Now it is left for us in the community to ensure that we do the needful to ensure that we make the lives of persons living with disabilities more meaningful.

“We want to strongly advise the governing council and the new executive secretary, to ensure that there is proper inclusion in the whole process.

“We thank the president for taking the bold step to establish the commission and appoint members of the governing council.

“However, we have noticed an error in the appointment, that is a double appointment for some clusters in the governing council.”

Epelle maintained that the composition of the governing council and the executive secretary who is the chief executive officer of the commission was not diversified.

“The governing council is made of up seven members including the executive secretary. But the appointment centred on just about three or four clusters whereas there are eight recognised clusters in the community of persons living with disabilities in the country.

“We have persons with a physical disability; the blind; spinal cord; intellectual disability; leprosy; albinism; autism & down syndrome and the deaf.

“Unfortunately, persons with a physical disability got two or three slots; the blind got a slot; the deaf got a slot which is the executive secretary.

“Now there was nothing about the intellectual disability; leprosy; albinism; autism & Down syndrome clusters in the composition of the governing council.

“The problem is that oftentimes, the public including the government doesn’t consider people with an invisible disability. There is always that contention concerning people with invisible disability”, he explained.

He further said, “To write that wrong, I advise the governing council and executive secretary to use the structure of the commission to correct the error by establishing eight divisions that will be headed by eight directors. That will represent the eight recognised clusters of persons living with disabilities.

“This will bring about a fair balance in the running of the commission and this is one way to correct that error. If it is done, nobody will criticize the commission and composition of its governing council and it will bring about inclusiveness.

“But if it is not done, it will create a lot of disaffection and lack of representation in the system. It will create a problem because some people will feel marginalised.”

Also, a Disability and Inclusive Development Consultant, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, said that there was a gap in the appointment.

However, he said the law provides that each member of the council should come from each of the six geopolitical zones.

Dr. Adebayo, a former member of the Governing Board, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, said, “The law provides that a person be taken from each of the six geopolitical zones and did not specify that each member of the major clusters is represented in the council.

“But on moral and fairness basis, each of the clusters should have been taken into consideration in the appointment.

“Now, you have two or three people from a cluster that were appointed into the council. In addition to the clusters, if you look at the top positions of the council, both chairman and the executive secretary are from the north.

“You can see that that is an issue itself. Now, if you look at the representation of the disability groups in fairness in the composition of the governing council, the president should have ensured that each major disability group is represented on the council. These are important issues.”

The visually impaired consultant advised that such an error should be avoided in a future appointment.

He described the establishment of the commission as a good development, adding, however, that it was long overdue.

According to Adesina, below are the names, designations and geo-political zones of members of the management of the commission: Dr Hussaini Kangiwa – Chairman – North West; Oparaku Jaja – Member – South-East; Philomena Konwea – Member – South-South; Omopariola Oluwasola – Member – South West; Amina Audu – Member – North West; Mrs. Esther Awu – Member – North Central; Abba Ibrahim – Member – North East; and James David Lalu – Executive Secretary – North Central.

Reports show that over 30 million persons are living with disabilities in Nigeria.

The functions of the commission include; the formulation and implementation of policies and guidelines as appropriate for the education and social development of persons with disabilities, preparation of schemes designed to promote the social welfare of persons with disabilities, amongst others.

Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria has commended President Buhari on the appointment of the members of the Governing Council of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities as Provided under the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Acts 2018.

In a letter addressed to President Buhari signed by Obioha Ononogbu, the National Chairman of the group on

The group described the gesture as a show of love and concern for the less privilege/ persons with disabilities in our society. It is also a public demonstration of President Buhari unflinching commitment towards the positive development and the socio-economic growth of the nation where equalization of opportunities is guaranteed for all and sundry irrespective of physical/ social disposition.

“It is pertinent to note that your reelection in 2019 as the President/ Commander- In – Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has given much pleasure to a wide circle of the masses who believe and trust in your capability and commitment to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people” they stated.

The group also recalled that it was President Muhammadu Buhari who signed into law the Disability Bill in January 2019.

A former NYSC member, Iherizie Chimechefulam Justice, put smiles on people’s faces during his service in 2019

The young man said that he was moved by the less privileged men he always saw weekly on his way to CDS

As a way to give back, he used his service allowance and bought them wheelchairs to give them some level of comfort.

An ex-corps member, Iherizie Chimechefulam Justice, said he used his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) allowance to get wheelchairs for people with physical disability during his service year.

Justice who graduated from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, finished his one-year compulsory service in Akwa Ibom a year ago in 2019.

He said that he always saw the disabled men on his way to his Community Development Service (CDS).

He added that he bought them the chairs as a way to thank God for how he kept him during his university days and NYSC in the state.

The young Nigerian man said that he owes his giving nature to his parents who taught him the importance of doing so, telling him that one does not have to be rich to touch lives.

In one of his pictures shared by local media, people gathered around him as he presented the amazing gift to one of the beneficiaries.

Osun State Agency, Community Social Development Project (CSDP) completed and
full equipped skills acquisition center for people with disabilities in Osun.

CSDD completed building around march, they have fully equipped the center.

Persons with disabilities are using the equipment to different vocational skills such as Computer section
Hair dressing section, Shoe making section, Tailoring section. Soap & cream making section

The equipment brought by the agency were: Brand new set of computer, 3 in 1 printer, U.P.S., Computer shelf, Office chairs, Stabilizer, Computer paper. Sewing machines, Industrial machine, Filling machine, Cloth materials, 2 dozens of plastic chairs, Filling machine, Generator set, Dryers, Hand Dryers, Washing Base Trowel, Towels, Mirrors Rollers setting, Hangers, Electric Iron, Table, chairs and stods Clippers etc

The beneficiaries who are persons with disabilities are elated by this development and they have started working at the center and they are produce amazing clothes, shoes etc.

SEE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE CENTER:

THE Centre for Disability Issues (CDI) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for reconstituting the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

He was also praised for appointing its executive secretary, chairman and board members.

The Coordinator, Comrade Kehinde Oshilaja, gave the commendation yesterday at Ebute Meta, Lagos at an empowerment programme organised by the centre to give succour to 100 aged members of the group.

The programme with the theme: “Sustainability fund for the aged”, was attended by people living with disabilities across the state and beyond.

Oshilaja rejoiced over the news of the approval of the composition of the governing council and appointment of executive secretary for NCPWD, in line with the provisions of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 by President Buhari.

He said: “The approval of this list of board members of the NCPWD is a statement that the Federal Government has begun full implementation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, also called the National Disability Act’’.

Oshilaja noted that the Act would lend credence to CDI’s efforts in giving a facelift to people living with disabilities. He praised the financiers of the group, who have been taking care of the members.

Drug Free World Africa is an NGO that emphasis more on eaten good food than taking drugs.

They are fight against excessive use of drugs, drug addicttion and self medications.

In this COVID-19 lockdown, they are carrying their campaign by feeding the vulnerable groups in different towns and community.

Their target is to provide food for millions of vulnerable Nigerians especially at this time of COVID-19 lockdown which has brought so much hunger and sickness which was caused by hunger.

Today, they are in Umuahia feeding quite a number of persons with disabilities with good foods.

Watch a short video of the event:

ActionAid Nigeria, a humanitarian non-governmental organisation working to combat poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria, has called on state governments to domesticate the disability commission, following the President’s appointment of executive members of the National Commission for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Speaking in Abuja, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Ene Obi said with an estimated population of 25 million Nigerians with disability, the need for a disability commission is long overdue.

“We applaud the Federal Government for making efforts to bring an end to years of exclusion of this valuable population through the establishment of a Commission, that is charged specifically with the responsibility of ensuring the inclusion and welfare of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the rights of persons with disabilities law in Nigeria.

“We earnestly hope that the Commission through its mandate will ensure that the education, healthcare and other social and economic rights of the people with disabilities contained in the 1999 Constitution and the law on the rights of persons with disabilities will be upheld.

“Also worthy of emphasis is the need to ensure that at least five per cent of all public appointments go to people with disabilities as backed up by the law supporting the establishment of the commission; only PWDs can proffer solutions to challenges they face and we call governments at all level to honor this provision of the law.

“For persons with disabilities, the freedom to move safely around urban and rural areas in Nigeria is greatly restricted by the plan and design of transport systems that is insensitive to their needs, and by negative social norms that tolerates violence towards certain disabilities.

These insensitivities expose them to violence whilst on the streets, especially women with disabilities facing multiple burden as they are exposed to the threat of gender-based violence while they go about their daily life.

Key areas that requires immediate attention includes transformation of transport system to ensure adequate buses and stops, street lighting, recruitment of female transport staff, disability friendly public toilets and infrastructure that caters to their mobility and protection,” she said.

ActionAid Nigeria urged governments to leverage on additional revenue from closing tax loopholes to provide disability friendly public transport and other public services.

“We call on state governments to expedite action in domesticating the disability commission as further delay will amount to great injustice especially at a time when the world is battling COVID-19, one of the most lethal pandemics in the history of mankind.”

The Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) lauds the President, Muhammadu Buhari, for setting up the governing council of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

In a statement sent to TQM signed Yusuf A.M Iyodo, Esq, the Director, Media and Publicity of the group, they noted that the good news followed the announcement by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, on the take-off of the Commission.

It is worthy of note that ALDIN has continually engaged the Presidency and the relevant Ministries on the necessity of the constitution of the Commission. The said engagement culminated into letters of specific demand dispatched to the said Ministries and the Presidency on the 10th day of August 2020. The efforts yielded almost immediate result as on August 24, 2020, the Presidency constituted the governing council of the NCPWD.

The group is impressed at the level of responsiveness shown by the Presidency in constituting the Commission.

They congratulated all the members of the governing council on their well-deserved appointments into the helm of affairs of the Commission.

The Association promised to bring its wealth of know-how, and abundant human/legal resources to bear in support of the mandate of the Commission.

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under Centre for Citizens With Disabilites (CCD), has appealed to Abia Government to domesticate the National Disability Act 2018, in order to promote wellbeing of persons with disabilities.
The people made the appeal in their separate speeches at a stakeholders’ forum on “Post COVID-19 and the Future of Abians with Disabilities,” held in Umuahia on Tuesday.
According to them, adopting the Act would protect them against discrimination and other harmful practices in society.

They also opined that the Act would further help their rehabilitation and integration in society. The group said that the law would further boost their potential and contributions to the socio-ecomomic development of the state.
In a remark, Mr David Anyaele, the Executive Director, Centre for Citizens With Disabilities, said that the Act, which was signed in 2019, had already been adopted by some states but Abia had yet to do so.
Anyaele, who was the convener of the forum, said that the group had sent copies of the Act to the Abia Assembly for domestication.
He said that the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic exposed the level of discrimination, exlcusion and neglect of persons with disabilities in governance at the federal, state and local government levels.
He said that one of the objectives of the forum was to sensitise the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the areas of concern to citizens with disabilities on post COVID-19 recovery plans.

Mr Stanley Onyebuchi, the state Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, said that Abia was hostile to persons with disabilities.
He called on the legislature to urgently domesticate Act, adding that the lack of the legislstion aggravated the plight of his members in Abia.
Mr Wisdom Okechukwu, the state Chairman, National Association of the Blind, regretted that the state government had not sent PWD to the Nigeria Farm Craft Centre for the Blind for rehabilitation in the past four years.
Also, Mr Iroabuchi Alozie, the Chairman, National Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, urged the government to help his members acquire gadgets to aid their mobility.
Mr Emeka Ikweagwu, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, said that the ministry always involved persons with disabilities in all its programmes.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chris Ezem, said that the state had always supported persons with disabilities and would continue to do so through the MDAs.

Ezem, who was represented by Mr John Emejor, a Director in the Ministry of Information, said that government was under serious pressure to meet the enormous societal demand because of lean resources.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum, which was supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was attended by stakeholders from the government, civil society organisations and media, amongst others. (NAN)