The launch and unveiling was at an event tagged ” Official Launch and Unveiling Of Global Disabilities Green Initiative” jointly organized by the House Committee on Disability Matters, chaired by Mr. Bashir Dawodu in Abuja.
In her welcome address, the Founder and President, Global Disabilities Green Initiative (GDGI), Mrs. Angelina Ugben, said that the initiative has gone from an Idea to a Movement.
She said that persons with disabilities are not problems to solve but pioneers to empower.
She said that for too long, the disability communities faced two struggles, which are Environmental injustice (floods, droughts, energy poverty), and
Social exclusion (locked out of green jobs, climate decisions, and technology).
” But in just 8 months, look how far we’ve come together: We planted 50 trees of hope in Karon Majigi in collaboration with JONAPWD FCT Chapter—each named after heroes like you.
We had an orientation to flag off the training of 25 PWDs in Solar PV Installation and Entrepreneurship Skill on June 20, in partnership with ASTEVEN Energy Institute, a subsidiary of the ASTEN Groups. We lit 100 solar lamps for students in Bwari and Piwoyi in collaboration with Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation and Supported by Light Up Africa. We stood at the UN, ECOWAS, and the National Assembly, demanding a seat at the table for PWDs in climate action.” Mr. Mrs. Ugben said.
She noted that GDGI has three mandates to train PWDs as solar entrepreneurs, to make sure every climate policy, every green project, is co-designed with PWDs, not for them and to turn disability into innovation.
” To turn disability into innovation, because a farmer in a wheelchair can teach us drought-resistant farming. A deaf engineer can redesign wind turbines. This isn’t charity. This is justice in action. Why Today Matters. Today isn’t just a launch. It’s a turning point—where Nigeria declares:
“No more excuses. Sustainability must include EVERY body, EVERY ability.” She said.
She is used the launch to unveil a 5-Year Blueprint and a roadmap to train 10,000 PWD green leaders by 2030.
The ministry of Housing and Urban Development, described the launch as a laudable initiative as it is a measure of mitigating perceived challenges.
A representative of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Professor. Magaji Garba said that the initiative seeks to ensure inclusivity, so that persons with disabilities will not be left out.
He noted that the initiative will serve as a catalyst to empower persons with disabilities.
GDGI as it is, it actually committed to fostering inclusivity and sustainability by integrating disability wide climate action with a focus on green energy and sustainable agriculture.
This means that persons with disabilities will not be left out in the global transitioning to renewable energy and climate change mitigation and promotion.
He added that the ministry would support every initiative aimed at improving the well-being of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.
Stakeholders at the event commended GDGI for the advocacy.
Oyenike Oyeniyi