The Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Mr. James David Lalu has congratulated the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for demonstrating the will to lift millions of Nigerians out of extreme poverty in the last eight years.
In a press release signed by Mbanefo JohnMicheal I, the head of Media and Publicity, NCPWD, Lalu made this disclosure recently in Abuja during an interactive session with newsmen and some members of APC Caretaker Committee in commemoration of eight productive years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is a leader with an uncommon political will” he said.
The ES who was visibly excited by the unprecedented show of passion President Buhari has shown to the community of persons with disabilities prior to the establishment of the Commission, stated that “Successive Governments have come to power and promised to give succour to PWDs but, payed only lip service”
According to the Executive Secretary, 17th January, 2017 heralded the season of hope for the entire community of persons with disabilities.
“The promise made to PWDs to cater for them came to a reality when the President signed into law the Act prohibiting the discrimination against PWDs” he disclosed.
The ES further stressed that past Governments have claimed lack of funds to sustain the Commission if created but, that has been proven to be untrue by the achievements of the present administration.
Lalu also disclosed that the 2018 Act is a veritable tool that opened vistas of opportunities as well as provided fundamental rights to all PWDs.
He said that one of the obvious wins for this administration was the quest to establish a National sign language.
In addition, the ES hinted that the Commission is working towards making Sign language one of the official means of communication which will ultimately guarantee seamless interactions between the community of PWDs and others in the society.
Speaking further, the Commission helmsman described Data gathering done recently by the Commission as a key component for accurate planning and the advancement of Persons with Disabilities.
Mr Lalu informed that the Commission has taken the lead in the construction of structures in compliance with minimum accessibility standards at public facilities. He further mentioned that 4 Federal Universities namely: Ahmadu Bello UniversityZaria, Nnamdi Azikiwe UniversityAwka, Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto and University of Ilorin have been chosen for the scheme on the pilot stage.
However, the ES disclosed that about 23 other institutions have applied to join the train.
The Executive Secretary also spoke about the 50% discount approved by the Federal Government for Persons with disabilities using the rail system for transportation.
“Another laudable achievement by the Muhammadu Buhari led administration is the benefit of N-Power program, from which over 40,000 PWDs have benefitted in the last couple of years” he said.
David Lalu went further to explain the 5-year strategic plan instituted by the Commission to foster the interest of Persons With Disabilities. This, according to him will include award of special scholarships to students with Disablities in Higher institutions.
He then encouraged every Nigerian to support the Federal Government on the ongoing Federal government programmes in order to have a successful transition in the coming elections.
