Seek security, welfare
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have called on the government at all levels to address alleged brutality and discrimination of her members by government agencies and individuals.
They made the call at a one-day summit, tagged “Security Formations and Justice Providers on The Effect of Shrinking Civic Space on 7” held in Lagos. Iot had in attendance members of PWDs, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), representatives of Justice Providers in Lagos State, and the media.
Speaking to journalists at the summit, the Chairman, Nigerian Association of the Blind, Mr. Lukman Afolariwan Salami, listed major problems facing PWDs in the country as discrimination, non acceptance and non recognition of her members, even when they try to prove to the society that there’s ability in disability.
He condemned alleged brutality against members across the nation, stressing that such actions deter them from having an equal sense of belonging to the society.
He called for reorientation as a remedial approach, while seeking for inclusiveness and active participation of PWDs in both public and private sectors as enshrined in the law.
Delivering a lecture at the summit, the Programme Assistant for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Tosin Aniramu, attributed major causes of disabilities in Nigeria to poor health care facilities, poor road infrastructures, which may result in accident, violence, riots, war, among others.
She urged the government to provide solutions by establishing standard health facilities, good road infrastructures, adequate securities, job opportunities, political integration, accessibility to building structures, commercial buses, airport, seaport and railway facilities, among others.
Representatives of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) at the summit said they had established a special desk to attend to the needs of Persons with Disabilities.
They added that PWDs and the general public can reach the Lagos State Disability Desk through the following telephone numbers: “09136466663 or 09048689094”.
