The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development says there is need for more collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies on the rehabilitation of Persons living With Disabilities, PWDs.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Nura Alkali said this in Abuja, Nigeria at Ministry’s annual meeting with all State Directors responsible for the rehabilitation of PWDs across the federation.
Alkali stressed that the meeting was aimed at experienced sharing and brainstorming to come up with concrete steps towards ensuring that the target group gets the best.
“In the course of implementing the Ministry’s mandate, we realize that Government cannot do it alone hence the need for collaboration with relevant MDAs as well as Donor agencies, Corporate organisations and Non Governmental Organisations.”
“Let me also inform you that our Ministry has put in place mechanisms so as to sustain advocacy and awareness on the rights , plights and privileges of Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria”. He emphasized.
For her part, the Director, Special needs in the Ministry, Nkechi Onwukwe restated that the meeting was coming at a time when Nigeria and the world are focusing more on the realization of the rights of Persons With Disabilities through the enactment and implementation of of relevant laws.
“Thus government is continuing in her efforts to come up with strategies of engagement with stakeholders by creating a forum for discussion and consultation with Directors of Rehabilitation in the 36 States and FCT with a view to identifying new and emerging challenges faced by Persons With Disabilities in their quest to conquer discrimination and live a fulfilled life, at the same time work toward providing solutions to these problems.”
Responding, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, James Lalu reiterated that accessibility is important to the disability space.
Speaking on behalf of all the Directors from the 36 States of the federation, Director, Ministry of Sports and Social Development, Jayeiola Oluwatoyin, said PWDs need to be given a chance to live normal and fulfilled lives.
“There are a lot of potentials in PWD and they need to harness these potentials. They need to be involved in decision making,” she added.
Stakeholders at the meeting are expected to come up with implementable decisions that will improve the quality of lives of PWDs and to enable them contribute meaningfully to national development and to keep abreast with issues and current trends affecting PWDs.
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