The Albino Foundation Public Notice
The Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC) has called on the Benue State Government to domesticate the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 to pave the path for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to begin enjoying its full inclusion benefits in the State.
Executive Director of DRAC, Dr. Irene Ojiugo Patrick-Ogbogu, who made this call during “the first-ever Benue Disabilities Rights Rally organised by DRAC to mark this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities, lamented that PWDs had long borne the burden of discrimination that left them worse off socially, economically and psychologically and charged the Titus Uba-led State Assembly to fast-track hearings on the bill to domesticate the Act and Governor Samuel Ortom to speedily assent to it.
Dr. Irene who led other Civil Society Organisations and disabilities rights advocates in the rally from Sheraton Hotel through the Benue State House of Assembly, State Ministry of Justice and Government House Makurdi, called for greater visibility and accessibility for PWDs among other benefits in line with DRAC’s vision for “a just world, devoid of poverty and intolerant of all forms of discrimination”.
The Chairman, Joint National Agency for Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) in Benue State, Mr. Bemshima Anshe Benjamin and Mr. Onah Adeyi who spoke for Persons with Albinism called for speedy domestication of the Disabilities Rights Act in the Food Basket State to enable PWDs partake in the largesse of its rights and privileges like any other person.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Barr. Mike Gusa and Deputy Clerk, Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Oliver Ochinya both promised full support for DRAC’s call and advocacy for PWDs and affirmed that they would do their bit to get the bill passed so as to better the lot of PWDs in line with the theme of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities which is “’Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development; The Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World’.
