Group lauds passage of disability laws by State Governments
A Nigerians join disability movements across the globe to commemorate the 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) says they are impressed with State governments that have adopted the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018
A statement issued by David Anyaele, listed states that passed disability laws which protects their citizens with disabilities;“North Central (Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau States), Northeast (Bauchi State), Northwest (Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto and Zamfara States), Southeast (Abia, and Anambra States), Southsouth (Cross River, and Edo States) and Southwest (Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, and Oyo States).”
The CCD called on other States government to take appropriate measures to protect their citizens with disabilities through the adoption of the Disability Act.
The states are; “Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Ogun, Osun, Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe, Rivers, Taraba, and Yobe.”
The Centre expressed concerns that; “Section 2 of the Disability Act, which provides that the Federal Ministry of Information shall make provisions for promotion of awareness regarding- (a) the rights, respect and dignity of persons with disabilities, (b) the capabilities, achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities to the society; this has not happened for four years after the passage of the Act.
“Therefore, if the governments are not implementing the disability laws in the land, who will protect the rights of PWDs?”
They also called on members of the Federal and States House of Assembly to demand budgetary provisions and activities from all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for the full implementation of the Disability Law.
2023 General Elections
The CCD urged people with disabilities and Nigerians to demand from political parties’ candidates’ agenda for persons with disabilities.
“PWDs and their organisations must document disability related promises made by candidates in order to hold them to account for the general elections.”
“We are calling on the Federal and States government to ensure that efforts to push down poverty curves in Nigeria are not only disability sensitive, but with active participation of PWDs and their organisations.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) efforts in implementing their framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral Process. Evidence from the last election conducted by INEC shows that there is relative improvement in terms of inclusion and access to the electoral process.
“We are calling on the INEC to improve on the successes recorded in Osun State to ensure equal voting access for persons with disabilities. People with disabilities should be encouraged to go for early collection of their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) even as we request for priority considerations in line with the provisions of the National Disability Act and INEC Framework on PWDs. We are also calling on the security agencies to push back this ugly scenario as the 2023 general elections provides an important opportunity for each and every registered voter to decide his or her future. No one should be left behind in the electoral process by reason of insecurity.”
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities. December 3 is a date set aside annually for the observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The day was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
The theme of this year’s event is “Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: The Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World.“
PR/PIAK
