The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters, Hon. Abba Isa, has called for an inclusive society for inclusiveness of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the SSA said “the journey towards inclusivity requires collective will of governments, civil society, and the private sector.
“I stand before you today as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters, on this significant occasion of International Disability Day.
“It is an honor to address you all as we collectively recognize and celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of persons with disabilities worldwide.
“In the pursuit of a truly inclusive society, we must acknowledge the barriers that persist and the urgent need for concerted efforts to dismantle them. Our commitment to inclusivity is not merely a moral imperative; it is an investment in a richer, more diverse world where every individual can thrive.
“As we commemorate this day, let us reflect on the progress made, but also recognize the challenges that lie ahead. We must champion accessibility in all aspects of life, from education and employment to healthcare and public spaces. The journey towards inclusivity requires the collective will of governments, civil society, and the private sector.
“Empowering persons with disabilities involves providing not just equal opportunities, but also ensuring their voices are heard and their perspectives valued. It is through collaboration and understanding that we can build a society that embraces diversity as a strength.
“To this end, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated me “to proactively create avenues of opportunity for inclusion of PWDs requirements and perspectives in the policies and programmes of all Ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government and also to work closely with subnational authorities to build a national consensus on PWD friendly policies and environmental conditions.
“So basically my role is to liaise with, engage, collaborate, and work with Ministries, departments and agencies of government to ensure disability inclusion in their policies, plans and programmes.
“Also, I am mandated to work with State governments to ensure formulation and enactment of appropriate legal frameworks for the benefit of people with disabilities.”
On President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda for persons with disabilities, the presidential aide said “the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has among other plans, the resolve for the attainment of Food Security; Ending Poverty; Economic Growth and Job Creation; Access to Capital, particularly consumer credit; Rule of Law; Fighting Corruption and ensuring inclusivity in all its dimensions, particularly as regards youth, women and people with disabilities.
“And the vision of this administration for people with disabilities is to ensure their inclusion or what technically we call mainstreaming into all the areas of intervention of the government. Remember that Mr. President has tasked me to work with agencies of government to ensure PWD inclusion in all
their policies, plans and programmes.
“Our commitment to inclusivity must extend beyond symbolic gestures. It requires tangible actions, policy reforms, and the integration of disability perspectives into the very fabric of our societies. Let us foster a culture where individuals of all abilities are recognized for their talents, contributions, and humanity.
“ Let this International Disability Day be a call to action. Let us strive for a world where inclusivity is not an aspiration but a reality, where every person, regardless of ability, can live with dignity and participate fully in the social, economic, and political life of their communities.”