The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, Mr James David Lalu has said that Children With Disabilities deserve better attention and parental care.
The Executive Secretary made this disclosure in Abuja, today 1st December, 2022 when he received in audience the Association of Parents of Children with Disabilities who were at the Commission on advocacy visit.
Speaking further, the Executive Secretary recounted the task faced by his parents as he grew up under their tutelage and with the challenges life threw at him.
“My mother showed me so much love and care to cope with everything in life and that became a factor that propelled me to where I am today”, he disclosed.
Lalu also encouraged every parent and guardian to give total support to children under their care, not minding what the society thinks of their situations.
He however, lamented the rate of ignorance still being displayed by some parents who feel ashamed of their children with disabilities.
Lalu then appreciated the group for standing up for children with disabilities in Nigeria and urged them never to be ashamed of the unique wards that God has placed in their care.
“You must see opportunities when others see disabilities in your children; many people in the society are beclouded by disabilities they perceive in persons without looking at the positive sides of their lives” he underpinned.
Mr. Lalu reassured the group of the Commission’s commitment to quality education for children with disabilities, making reference to the recent development of awarding scholarships to PWDs in schools.
While mentioning the MOU the Commission signed with some tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, the Executive Secretary moreover, disclosed that the Commission also has an alliance with the Attorney General of the Federation where there is a policy document supporting the financial autonomy of the Commission to fully fund the scholarship schemes for students with disabilities.
On the issue of accessibility, the Commission’s Boss spoke on the various specifications in the constructions of ramps to suit distinct purposes for wheelchair users in the society.
Earlier in her remarks, the Spokesman of the group, Hadjia Fatima Abubakar Doki expressed her gratitude to the Executive Secretary for shouldering the burdens of millions of persons with disabilities, especially children who are the most vulnerable.
She used the medium to highlight the group’s areas of concern to include Education, Employment, Information and Health.
“Some of these children are denied admission into schools simply because the authorities are ignorant of the law prohibiting the discrimination against persons with disabilities” she said.
Mrs. Doki appealed for more interventions on the education and health of children with disabilities
Another member of the group, Abdullahi Nasiru explained the position of National Industrial courts of Nigeria in the protection of the rights of children subjected to domestic violence and abuse.
He disclosed that Education, Health and life are fundamental rights of every child in Nigeria.
“No body is allowed to deprive children with disabilities access to education and health” he asserted.