The need for expedient action on passage of the disability law for the overall interest of persons living with disabilities (PWD) in the state has been stressed during a one day stakeholders round table meeting/award ceremony organized by the Christian Otueroro Foundation, held in Benin city, weekend.
In her opening remarks, former Commissioner for Women/ Gender issues and chairman of the occasion, Hon. Florence Gbinigie who noted that the disability law in the state was long overdue, commended the organizers for deeming it fit to put up such event with a view to drawing government attention on the need for the acceleration of the processes that would lead to the passage of the bill into law.
While asserting that there was ability in disability, Hon. Gbinigie, Coordinator, National Coalition of Affirmative Action,(NCAA), A network of NGO’s working in the area of women and girls right, who was represented at the occasion by Adodo Felicia Abiodun, said persons living with disabilities deserved enabling environment to actualise their God given potentials, maintaining that only the disability law could guarantee such society for them.
She further stated that when passed into law it will guarantee them a place in the society where they can contribute their quota towards the development of the state as they will humanly have value to the revenue base of the state.
Gbinigie used the forum to appeal to the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to exercise passion for the less privileged persons in the state ensuring the existence of the law to enable them exploit their potentials and become useful not only to themselves but the nation at large.
In his presentation titled, ‘The Importance of Disability Law in Edo’ the Executive Director,, Network for The advancement of People With Visible Disability, Barr. Melody Mosah , described law as a social engineer, stressing the importance of law in a stable society.
While decrying the level at which the legislatures, particularly at the state levels have abated their responsibilities of making laws for the people in the hands of the executive, the visually impaired lawyer noted that they (legislatures) only move motions and resolutions that were adversary to the executive while undermining such laws that are germane to the society.
While asserting that law was a social contract the legislative arm of government have with the people, Omosah declared that there was no law before now that protects the rights of persons with disabilities, even as he faulted the 1999 constitution as amended in that light.
He disclosed that all efforts to get governments in the past to sign the bill since 2012 failed until the present Godwin Obaseki led administration deemed it imperative to sign it.
Lamenting that about twenty six states of the federation did not have the disability right law, the speaker expressed hope that the bill when passed into law soon will place Edo state among the league of states with disability right law.
A Senior Magistrate from Anambra state who is an awardee, His Worship Ifeyinwa Nassaiah Okoye, said the need for the law can not be overemphasized, but urged persons with disabilities to always shy away from being someone who begs for sympathy always.
“It is beyond fighting for the disability right law. You have to start from yourself. Take yourself away from the level of always expecting sympathy from people”, Okoye stated.
The organizer, Christabel Otueroro also appealed on the need for government to expedite action on the processes leading to the passage of the bill into law.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of Award of Honour on His Worship Ifeyinwa Nassaiah Okoye.