President Bola Tinubu has urged stakeholders to advocate for and amplify the voices of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to achieve disability inclusion and promote their welfare and rights.
Tinubu made this call at a National Dialogue commemorating the 2024 International Day for Persons with Disabilities in Abuja on Tuesday.
He emphasised the importance of advancing the cause of PWDs in Nigeria, citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which provided for the protection of PWDs’ rights.
“We signed the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which provides a framework for protecting human rights in Africa.
“Although the charter does not explicitly mention Article 18, Sub 4, it emphasises the importance of promoting and protecting the rights of all individuals, including those with disabilities.
“In line with our Renewed Hope Agenda, we appointed a Special Assistant to promote equal opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
“The office was mandated to collaborate with government agencies, subnational governments, development partners, civil society organisations, and associations of PWDs to ensure that their policies align with our agenda.
“We are working closely with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to promote disability inclusion in the country,” he said.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio pledged that the tenth Senate would continue to enact laws promoting the rights and wellbeing of PWDs.
Akpabio represented by Sen. Ireti Kingibe, (Senator representing FCT), emphasised the need for collective effort to promote inclusive development of PWDs.
According to Akpabio, stakeholders must amplify the voices of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and get involved to support them.
Akpabio stressed the importance of evaluating and treating individuals based on their abilities, rather than their disabilities.
He believed that democracy was not just about voting rights, but also about equal opportunities for all, including PWDs.
To achieve this, Akpabio called for unity and a shared spirit of inclusivity, hope, and determination to advance the rights and inclusion of PWDs.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr Ayuba Gufwan, noted that the 2024 International Day for Persons with Disabilities provided an opportunity to review progress and identify challenges ahead.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured awards presentation by the NCPWD to the World Bank, Sightsavers Nigeria, European Union and other partners that contributed towards the commission’s achievements. (NAN).
