The Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD, Hon. Ayuba Gufwan has called for collaborative front by all stakeholders in the advocacy drive for inclusive Nigeria.
Hon. Ayuba Gufwan mader the call during the celebration of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Abuja. NCPWD in collaboration with development partners and key stakeholders organized a National Dialogue with the Theme “Transformative Solutions to Disability-Inclusive Development in Nigeria.”
In his address, the Executive Secretary called for collective efforts by all towards building an inclusive country.
Hon. Gufwan said “This day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
“To all esteem leaders in the disability community, whatever we have done in the past, this theme is urging us to do more, amplify them and up our game.
“This is a special day for over 35 million of persons with disabilities in Nigeria. Today is a day for stock taking; where are we coming from, where are we now and where are we headed.”
Te event played host to high profile delegates and development partners; the World Bank, Federal and state agencies, , CBM International, Sightsavers, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC), The Leprosy Mission Nigeria, CHAI among others.
The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Equal Opportunities and Special Needs, Hon. Abba Isa, assured Nigerians of the federal government’s commitment to implementing the Disability Act.
Hon. Isa emphasised the importance of advancing the rights and wellbeing of PWDs in Nigeria, citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which provided for the protection of PWDs’ rights.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Sen. Ireti Kingibe, emphasised the need for collective effort to promote inclusive development of PWDs.
Akpabio stressed the importance of evaluating and treating individuals based on their abilities, rather than their disabilities. He stressed that democracy is 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 in the nation.