Festus Zenda, Abuja INN reporter
Disability Rights Advocate Centre, (DRAC) in collaboration with Disability Not A Barrier initiative (DINABI), Mimi Jean foundation (M-JEAN) and JONAPWD, Anambra State Chapter has under the aegis of Count Disability Nigeria and Disability Rights Fund, (DRF) organized a 2-day technical workshop to develop a white paper on Disability disaggregated data.
The Event which held on June 1st and 2nd 2021 at Denis Hotels, Wuse 2, Abuja, had in attendance representatives of the various Disability Clusters, as well as OPDs, MDAs and other stakeholders.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of DRAC, Dr. Irene Patrick-Ogbogu informed the participants that the workshop was in collaboration with other sister OPDs. Going further, she spoke on the promise Nigeria made at the Global Disability Summit (GDS) held in Washington sometime in 2006, and which later formed the Washington Question (WGQ).
According to her, part of the promise made by Nigeria was the Disability Data. She added that the purpose of this workshop is to check on the progress Nigeria has made in terms of the data collection process.
Appreciating the presence of Dr Adebukola Adebayo, Irene said “we are very lucky to have Dr Adebukola Adebayo in our midst. He is our consultant on this project and his presence here will go a long way in ensuring a proper review and adoption of the progress Nigeria made. Wishing everyone fruitful discussions.”
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In his address, the Executive Secretary, National Commission For Persons with Disabilities, NCPWD, Mr. James Lalu thanked DRAC and everyone present. However, he went on to decry the draw back caused by absence of data on the efficiency of the Commission. Citing specific examples, the NCPWD scribe lamented how the issue of data derails efforts of the commission each time it tries to get support for its mandate. He nonetheless reiterated the Commission’s full support to ensure proper and accurate data capturing for PWDs.
The National President of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD, Miss Ekaete Judith Umoh, in her speech, expressed appreciation to DRAC for organizing the workshop.
She stated that “Nigeria made many promises at the Global Disability Summit, of which she was part of. Explaining further, she stressed the disappointments, and frustrations PWDs had to undergo as a result of improper and inaccurate databases”. She however expressed optimism that at the end of the workshop something fruitful will come out and the ghost of the matter put to rest.
On his part, representative of the National Population Commission (NPC) Mr Emeka Oliver Mezue, thanked DRAC for the invitation and informed the audience that preparations are in top gear for next year’s Census. Mr. Oliver expressed the Commission’s readiness to work with relevant stakeholders in the Disability circle to make the Census a success. He also promised full support of the Commission to work on the white paper which was being developed at the workshop.
The representative of National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Dr Kurfi Abubakar expressed gratitude to DRAC for the invitation while affirming readiness of the Executive Secretary of the Commission to partner with PWDs to ensure adequate Health care is not only available but also affordable and accessible. Going further, she said, “It is on the strength of data that a proper policy formulation can be achieved. She thus gave her word on NHIS’ full support.
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On her Part, the representative of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Dr Bilkisu Dalhatu expressed readiness to work with all stakeholders involved, stressing that complete database of all Nigerians is of paramount importance to the commission.
She noted that, the workshop is timely and that the information expected to be gathered will go a long way in ensuring that efficient methods of identification and data capturing for all PWDs is achieved.
President of the Albinism Foundation, Dr Jake Epelle expressed appreciation to Dr Irene and DRAC for their efforts within the Disability community.
He invited other Disability stakeholders to join the group as they set to tour some 15 States of the Federation to capture Data of all “eligible to vote” PWDs. He canvassed for support and collaboration, saying,”we want to associate with this laudable project and advocate full support from all stakeholders”.
On his part, Consultant Dr., Adebukola Adebayo, expressed delight at being at the event. He said, our presence here is of paramount importance, adding that if one is not counted, then, one won’t be provided for.
Dr. Adebukola also stressed the need for a Database for PWDs to avoid conflicting figures being bandied around. He cited the 2006 Census as an example, then, the overall number of Disability community was pegged at 2 million which, according to him, is a far cry from reality. According to him, we are almost 30 million. He encouraged the Disability community and its stakeholders to rise up and demand to be counted by the Government. He afterwards did a review on the WGQ.
Participants were broken into groups at the workshop to discuss, strategies and make recommendations which would form a part of the white paper to be adopted.
Dr. Irene and Adebukola Adebayo expressed gratitude to the partipants and appreciated them for their overwhelming contributions.
Dr. Irene promised to take the white paper up with the concerned OPDs for proper scrutiny before forwarding it to the concerned authorities.