By Francis Ugwu,
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, as well as religious organisations, to launch extensive awareness campaigns to address discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Bashiru Dawodu (APC-Lagos) during plenary in Abuja on Wednesday.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker emphasised the importance of sensitising the public about the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Dawodu highlighted the ineffectiveness of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in promoting and educating the public about the Prohibition Act 2018.
He pointed out that 23 states in the federation were yet to domesticate the law within their borders.
He said from the World Health Organisation and World Bank, Nigeria had an estimated 30 million persons with disabilities.
He said the Discrimination Against PWDs (Prohibition) Act, 2018, was enacted to ensure full participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in all sectors of the economy.
Adopting the motion, the house said persons with disabilities constituted about 15 percent of the country’s population and were among the marginalised groups within the country, emphasising that this contravened Section 36 of the constitution
The House called for immediate action by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and religious organisations to sensitise the public about the discrimination against PWDs.
The house also called on states in the federation to domesticate the law within their borders and mandate the Committee on Disabilities to ensure compliance.
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