Youth Ministry to Support Young People Living With Disabilities

Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has disclosed the readiness of her ministry to engage the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to ensure that the rights of young individuals with disabilities are protected.

Dr. Bio-Ibrahim made this disclosure when she paid a courtesy visit on the Executive Secretary of National Commission on People living With Disability, (NCPWD), Mr. James David Lalu.

She said, “I look forward to working with the commission to ensure that the rights of young people living with disabilities are protected and they live with dignity and earn very good sources of livelihood, then to take as many young people with disabilities off the streets as possible in order to give them a dignified life.

We have proposed some programs for persons living with disabilities within the six geopolitical zones. We also hope to bring more young people to learn about leadership that is required to address challenges of persons living with disabilities,” she added.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. James Lalu, expressed optimism that the commission’s partnership with the ministry would yield positive results.

The Executive Secretary also called on governors to pass the disability law in their respective states.

He said, “I am optimistic that our partnership with the ministry for youth would yield a lot for youths this year. Presently, 21 states have passed the disability law in their respective states. Out of the 21 states, only 7 have started implementation of the law.”

Mr. Lalu appealed to the states that have passed the law to consider and start implementation immediately while calling on those who are yet to key into the programme to do so.

“We are also calling on states yet to do anything to key in and give opportunity to persons with disabilities. We have very smart and intelligent persons with disabilities who have the skills to provide leadership,” he said.