Disability Bill: Kpakpando Foundation Visits Ministry of Justice On Assent To PWD Bill

The Kpakpando Foundation ably led by its Chairman, Senator Osita Izunaso, paid a courtesy visit to the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Hon. Abubakar Malami, on matter as regards president Buhari’s assent to the disability bill in Abuja, INN reports.

INN gathered this information in a facebook message shared by the Foundation on its page. The foundation wrote, “With the leadership of the Distinguished Senator Osita Izunaso wielding the reins, Kpakpando Foundation took another step in advocating complete inclusion and protection for persons with disabilities in Nigeria by making an advocacy visit to the Attorney General Hon. Abubakar Malami at the Federal Ministry of Justice Abuja”.

INN also learnt that Senator Izunaso began the discourse with Malami with passionate appeal and honesty, by reiterating the fact that Persons with disabilities have not been catered for in this Country. In his words, “We act as if we do not know that we have persons with disabilities in our society”. He explained to the Attorney General that the Disability Bill has been on hold for the last 12 years and this has led to neglect towards Persons with disabilities.

Urging the Attorney General, “…we cannot allow the situation to continue”, he said.

Senator Izunaso went on to discuss some provisions lacking in the present bill, but even though the bill may not be perfect, he noted that it is politically expedient for the President to assent to it. “This is because by assenting to the bill, President Mohammadu Buhari would make history for Nigeria on a global level because we would joining selected group of countries that have actually upheld the United Nations treaty on the “Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities”, A treaty that Nigeria is actually a signatory to, but is yet to truly honour”, Sen. Izunaso further explained.

According to him, the bill has many strong and important merits one of which, is the institution of a Commission for Persons with Disabilities. “This Commission is key as it will grant all persons with disabilities the desired protection, as the bill also addresses discrimination, access to Public Infrastructure, Education, Employment, Healthcare etc. and all of these will be achieved under the watchful eye of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities”, he added.

Senator Izunaso went on to tell the Attorney General the progress being made by the All Progressive Congress (A.P.C) where he serves as the National Organizing Secretary. He explained that there are persons with disabilities present in National, State and Local working committees of the A.P.C and this means the ruling party is leading by example.

The Senator also commended the fact that President Mohammadu Buhari is the only President to have a Senior Special Assistant on Disability matters in the person of Dr. Samuel Ankeli who was also present during the advocacy visit.

In the same vein Sen. Izunaso also commended the Lagos and Plateau state Governments that already have working Persons with Disabilities Commissions and the Nassarawa State Government that has developed a specialized school with 1,000 persons with disabilities that vary in Age from infancy to Adulthood, to educate and rehabilitate, INN gathered
The senator also mentioned an idea that is a brain child of Kpakpando Foundation, which is the Disability Rights Trust fund. A fund that will solve all the revenue problems that can be associated with handling any matter of persons with disabilities. He explained that the Trust fund would finance the Disabilities Rights Commission making sure that persons with disabilities are, Educated, Rehabilitated and Enabled to live fulfilled lives in the Nigerian society.
Responding, the Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hon. Abubakar Malami, acknowledge the work of Kpakpando Foundation and declared that President Muhammadu Buhari, since the days of his campaign, has had interest in matters concerning persons with disabilities. He explained that the President has a clear understanding, clear recognition and clear commitment to the plight of persons with disabilities and it goes against the President’s background to not assent to the bill.

While assuring the foundation, Hon. Malami noted, that he saw no problems regarding assent to the bill and saying “justice will be done to the bill”.
INN also gathered that the delegation of Kpakpando Foundation included: Senator Osita Izunaso (Chairman Board of Trustees/Founder), Mrs. Patricia O. John-Oseh (Executive Director), among others accompanied by Dr. Samuel Ankeli, SSA to the President on Disability Matters and Hon. James Lalu, who is the Chairman Disabilities Commission Plateau State.

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