The Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments (CoSAP) has kicked off in Abuja, Nigeria. The conference which was initiated by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives along with fellow Speakers from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa intends to broaden collaboration and cooperation among African legislators.
At the conference the Albino Foundation with the support of Yiaga Africa provided sign language interpreters and interpreting services to make the event disability inclusive.
Mr. Jake Epelle, President and Founder, The Albino Foundation, who address the Conference of Speakers and Heads of Parliaments stated in his presentation that the Nigerian Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has been an advocate of inclusive Nigeria.
Mr. Epelle enumerated various policies and programmes that the House under Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has initiated and implemented towards improving accessibility and inclusiveness of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria. Among such milestones is the Committee on Disability in the Federal House of Representative.
the sign language interpreters were provided by the Albino Foundation as part of the foundation contribution to the conference.
The Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila appreciated the good gesture by The Albino Foundation.
Hon. Gbajabiamila adviced other Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments to ensure a disability inclusive Africa.
Other speakers and Heads of Parliament requested that the guideline and policy framework of the Nigeria House of Assembly on disability inclusion be shared with member states for domestication in various countries of Africa.
The conference, with the theme, “Enhancing Africa’s Post-COVID Economic Recovery through Parliamentary Leadership”, enjoyed the participation of speakers and heads of parliaments from many African countries.
The conference is to discuss legislative initiatives African Parliaments can take to help the continent walk through the post-COVID era and other economic plans, including campaigns for debt cancellations by global creditors.
