By Chukwuma Umeorah
TAF Africa, a prominent advocacy group championing the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWD), has decried their exclusion from the ministerial nomination.
The Founder/CEO of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, while speaking on a television interview, Thursday monitored by Daily Sun raised concerns over the ministerial list presented to the Senate which appears to have omitted any representation from the disabled community.
“There is no person with disability on the first and second batch of the list. Though we learnt that there is one amputee among then, but he is not a member of our community and thus cannot effectively represent us.”Epelle emphasized that the absence of such representation not only perpetuates injustice and marginalization but also deprives the government of valuable insights and perspectives.
“People with disabilities constitute a significant portion of our society, around 35 million people and their unique experiences deserve to be heard and considered in the highest levels of governance.
This demonstrates government’s insensitivity. How can you ignore this segment of the people and yet preach about letting poor breath,” he fumed.
He added that their exclusion from the ministerial list sends a disheartening message and further perpetuates the challenges of marginalisation they already faced. This is even as he urged president Tinubu to review the list to include PWDs before final approval by the Senate.
Additionally, he expressed concerns that the nomination may have been some form of compensation plan for politicians who were instrumental to President Bola Tinubu’s victory at the polls.
“I see a payback to the governors and those who worked for him. I do not totally doubt their competence, but it is all a recycling of people that are never tired of being in governance.”
TAF Africa has been a vocal advocate for disability rights, consistently pushing for policies and initiatives that promote inclusivity, accessibility, and equal opportunities and to break down societal barriers that hinder participation of PWDs in various sectors.
The SUN
