In a groundbreaking move to champion the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Imo State, an advocacy team from The Qualitative Magazine (TQM), alongside leaders from the Disability Community, engaged in a pivotal visit to the Permanent Secretary of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. Godson Okeoma, on February 6th, 2024.
During the visit, Comrade Chris Agbo, the Executive Director/Publisher of TQM, emphasized the potential benefits of domesticating disability law in Imo State. He highlighted that the ministry, headed by Mr. Okeoma, would be a primary beneficiary as the law could introduce a commission or board, possibly under the ministry or the governor. This collaboration, he stressed, would alleviate the significant burden on the ministry in providing for persons with disabilities.
Agbo emphasized the importance of engaging both legislators and the Executive in the advocacy process, recognizing the vital roles they play in making the domestication a reality. He underscored key aspects of the disability law, encompassing the right to access education, health, employment, and public infrastructure, crucial for enhancing the lives of PWDs.
To spearhead the campaign for domestication, The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN), with funding from Liliane Fonds supported TQM to initiate advocacy engagements in Imo State. The focus is on localizing the Discrimination against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, passed by the National Assembly in December 2018 and signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019.
Mr. Godson Okeoma, responding from his perspective as a wheelchair user, commended the initiative, acknowledging the timeliness of The Qualitative Magazine’s leadership in the struggle. He pledged the full support of the Ministry, expressing a commitment to recommend the cause to the governor for the development of an executive bill. Okeoma revealed the governor’s unwavering passion for the well-being of persons with disabilities, citing his personal experience of being appointed on merit and receiving consistent support in his role as Permanent Secretary.
In a resounding endorsement, Okeoma assured that the governor, who seeks his counsel regularly, would eagerly endorse the bill, whether it originates from the executive or the House of Assembly.
This collaborative effort between The Qualitative Magazine, the Disability Community, and the Ministry aims to create lasting change, ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are enshrined in the laws of Imo State, setting a precedent for inclusive governance.
