The Abia State Government, is seeking partnership with the United Nations (UN) Committee on Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to bridge gaps and ensure inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
Mr David Anyaele, the Chairman, Abia State Commission for the Welfare of the Disabled Persons said this at the Homecoming of Dr Chris Nwanoruo, a UN committee member on the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
The homecoming ceremony was organised by the Umuobiala Community in Isukwuato Local Government Area (LGA) to honor Nwanoruo on his successful election into the UN committee.
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is a body of independent experts that monitors the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Anyaele said that the partnership with UN was pivotal in identifying bottlenecks and providing globally acceptable solutions on raising awareness, improving and ensuring the inclusion of PWDs in all government policies, plans and programmes.
This he said was also in order to make the state disabilities compliance
According to him, it would also help to create awareness on domestic and international laws on disability rights, breaches, and legal consequences.
“We recognise that the functions of this UN committee aims to promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities worldwide by providing technical assistance and offering support to state parties.
“It also helps in the implementing, promoting, and raising awareness of the convention and its implementation globally.
“We believe that we can work together to achieve success in creating awareness, and we are ready and seeking partnership with the UN committee to ensure a disability inclusive Abia state,” he said.
Anyaele said that the state government and the disability commission were proud to have an expert from the state with requisite knowledge to engage on disability issues globally.
He said that the UN committee member’s success at the international stage in spite of his visual impairment was evidence of his resilience, passion, commitment, and dedication towards ensuring a globally inclusive world.
Anyaele commended his family and community for the support and heroic ceremony to honor his achievement and urged more indigenes of the state to strive to achieve giant strides within and outside the state.
“I congratulate the Umuobiala community for raising a champion with disability in our midst.
“Dr. Chris conquered disability in Umuobiala, he conquered disability in Isikwuato LGA, in Abuja, and now he has conquered disability at the United Nations
“That is the spirit of Abia state indigenes to succeed in any sphere regardless of disability status.
“I urge us all to emulate and draw strength from him to push forward in whatever sector we find ourselves, to achieve success and bring honor to our families and to Abia state,” he said.
Anyaele urged Nigerians to stop the discrimination against PWDs and eliminate all barriers impeding an inclusive society.
The Abia state disability commissioner said that disability was not inability, weakeness, or lack of capacity to aspire, work, and contribute positively to national development and transformation.