The Albino Foundation Public Notice
Persons with Disabilities in Plateau State have appealed for empowerment and inclusion in governance, saying such would make them self-reliant and enable them to support their families who depend on them for survival.
The appeal was made on Thursday at Mangu, the headquarters of the Mangu local government area of the State during the commemoration of the 2024 International Day for Persons with Disabilities tagged: “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future.”
The event was organized by the Centre for Gospel Health and Development, CeGHaD, in collaboration with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mangu branch, with support from the Christian Blind Mission, CBM.
In a welcome remark, Linda Dakyel, the Chairperson of the Association in Mangu said, “The process of rehabilitation of PLWDs can take many different forms; some approaches have emphasized the restoration of the physical function of the client, while others have looked beyond that to the psychological and social well-being.
“Some have built on the expertise of professional organizations, while others have emphasized the carrying capacity available in the family and the community and sought to reinforce it. Besides providing a wide range of possible movement services to PWDs, rehabilitation seeks to change the attitude that prevails in society as a whole and promote the integration of PLWDs into society with equal rights and economic opportunities.
“However, there remain many thousands of PWDs who are clinically cured but still suffer the consequences of the diseases. Greater priority, we appeal should be given to our economic, psychological, social needs as reflected in the variety of rehabilitation programmes in countries around the world. The focus should be on empowerment and enabling.
“The imparted skills and knowledge some of us have, habe enabled us to become responsible for our development. The existing power base should be changed so that PLWDs can exert influence over their affairs by the saying – “Nothing About Us Without All of Us.” I therefore implore the government to do something different to better the lives of PWDs because it’s seen from the perspective of Human Rights. Nobody wishes to be born disabled if given the choice.”
The Executive Director of CeGHaD, Nansik Onu, represented by a Project Officer, Yakubu Dasu, stated the organization has been working over the years to holistically and inclusively empower individuals and communities and would continue to partner with the PWDs and empower them to be independent, and stop depending on others in this difficult time.
Ama Dimka, the Project Officer of CeGHaD’s Bold Actions to Strengthen Inclusive Care in Communities, BASIC project explained that the project seeks to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups through the facilitation of community-based inclusive programmes and added that three Mangu communities of Bungha, Mangu Halle, and Jwakkom are beneficiaries of the project.
While giving out the empowerment items which included sewing machines, knitting machines, shoe filing machine with generator, hair dryer, and generator to the 10 beneficiaries, she urged PWDs not to keep silent in the face of any kind of abuse but to speak out and also sensitized them on issues of sexual and gender-based violence.
The Mangu Council Secretary, Dachahat Yusuf asked that society see the person, and not the disability, assured of the Council’s continued support to PLWDs as Esther Marcus, a mother to one of the beneficiaries, Nandi who is hearing impaired, urged parents not to hide children with disabilities but cater for and empower them to be self-reliant and commended CeGHaD for working to improve the living condition of PWDs.
