In a compelling call to action, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, has emphasized the need for a disability-friendly environment that allows Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to thrive. In an exclusive interview with the Beyond Disability Project crew, Hon. Abba Isa highlighted the immense potential within the PWD community and the urgent need to remove barriers hindering their success.
“There’s a lot of potential in Persons with Disabilities, but they need an enabling environment to thrive,” Hon. Abba Isa stated. He underscored the diverse challenges faced by PWDs, noting that these require tailored approaches and interventions. “While some cannot see, others cannot walk or hear. They are very brilliant and have a lot of potential, but we need to create an enabling environment for them to excel,” he added.
Identifying the key obstacles faced by PWDs, the Senior Presidential aide pointed to attitudinal and behavioral barriers, communication barriers, and institutional barriers. “One of the greatest barriers to PWDs is the attitude of people towards them. Society needs to change its behavior and the way it sees PWDs,” he explained.
Communication barriers also pose significant challenges, particularly for the deaf community. “For instance, the deaf need assistive devices for them to communicate. Without these, they are excluded from the conversation,” Hon. Abba Isa noted. These insights underline the critical need for inclusive practices and technologies to bridge the communication gap and ensure full participation of PWDs in societal activities.
Hon. Abba Isa elaborated on his mandate from President Tinubu, which focuses on integrating disability requirements and perspectives into the policies, plans, and programs of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as sub-national authorities. “In the last six months in office, we have introduced several reforms and programs to address these barriers and challenges. One such initiative is our collaboration with the Beyond Disability Project,” he said.
Looking ahead, the SSAP announced plans for an inter-Ministerial and Sub-national Awareness Summit. This summit aims to bring together MDAs and partners to engage in robust conversations and strategize on advancing the implementation of the National Disability Act. “We aim to have robust conversations and engagement on how to advance the cause of implementing the National Disability Act,” he stated.
Discussing the objectives of the National Disability Act, Hon. Abba Isa described it as a “Golden law” that safeguards the rights and welfare of PWDs. The law covers access to education, welfare, quality healthcare, political participation, and business inclusion. While acknowledging the Act’s significant protections, he noted ongoing efforts to strengthen certain areas through a review at the National Assembly. “The law has really protected PWDs, but we need to create more awareness because those who discriminate often claim ignorance of the law, which is not an excuse,” he emphasized.
To enhance public awareness, the SSAP revealed plans to engage the Minister of Information in leading a comprehensive awareness campaign about the National Disability Act. Additionally, he announced that President Tinubu would soon launch a task force dedicated to the implementation of the Act.
Reflecting on the expectations for the Beyond Disability Project, Hon. Abba Isa expressed optimism. “We expect to build our strength together through synergy. I appreciate the management of Beyond Disability Project for the tremendous job they are doing,” he said.
Hon. Abba Isa also shared an encouraging message for Nigeria’s 35 million PWDs. “We have made significant progress and can achieve more. Before, we didn’t have the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) or an SSA to the President. Today, we have all these. President Tinubu has shown tremendous commitment. We need unity and love among ourselves to succeed. We have all it takes to succeed, but we cannot succeed if we are not united,” he urged.
In conclusion, the Senior Presidential aide’s advocacy highlights the critical need for a supportive and inclusive environment to unlock the full potential of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria. His call for unity, coupled with strategic reforms and increased awareness, aims to pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for the PWD community.
