Home Disability News Disability Commission, Sightsavers Strengthen Alliance to Boost Disability Inclusion in Nigeria

Disability Commission, Sightsavers Strengthen Alliance to Boost Disability Inclusion in Nigeria

by Inclusive News Network

The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and its development partner, Sightsavers, have reaffirmed their commitment to fostering disability inclusion in Nigeria. This partnership aims to promote equality and improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities across the country.

A high-profile delegation from Sightsavers, led by its Country Director, Dr. Joy Shuaibu, and West Africa Regional Director, Boubacar Dicko, visited the NCPWD headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen existing collaboration and align on strategies for achieving impactful results.

During the meeting, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Ayuba Gufwan, reiterated the Commission’s dedication to addressing the needs of over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities. He emphasized the importance of mobility, private-sector collaboration, and transparency in resource utilization as key priorities for the year.

“Our focus is action and results. Mobility is central to inclusion, and we are committed to ensuring that no Nigerian with a disability is left without the means to move freely. We will also work with private-sector stakeholders to expand their contributions toward empowering persons with disabilities,” Gufwan said.

Dr. Shuaibu expressed appreciation for the Commission’s unwavering support and highlighted Sightsavers’ achievements over the past year. These included vocational training and financial support, such as ₦50,000 startup grants for 150,000 persons with disabilities to establish small businesses.

She further stressed the importance of implementing the Commission’s strategic plan effectively. “Our goal is to ensure this plan becomes a roadmap for tangible progress. We will continue advocating for increased government funding and initiatives in education, healthcare, and digital accessibility,” Dr. Shuaibu noted.

Regional Director Boubacar Dicko commended the Commission’s commitment to inclusion and shared insights from his recent visit to Yauri, Kebbi State. He underscored the pressing need for mobility aids for polio survivors and other persons with disabilities, describing mobility as a foundation for independence and societal participation.

“Addressing mobility challenges is crucial for education, employment, and community engagement. Together, we can empower persons with disabilities to contribute meaningfully to national development,” Dicko said.

The discussions also centered on expanding digital literacy programs, scaling up vocational training, and advocating for increased resources to support persons with disabilities. Both parties reaffirmed their shared vision of building an inclusive society through concerted efforts.

The partnership’s first major initiative for the year, the Inclusive Employment Initiative, will launch on January 29. This program aims to create dignified job opportunities for persons with disabilities and marks a significant step toward achieving lasting change.

Join Inclusive News Network WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You. Click Here 

Leave a Comment

* By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

You may also like

Adblock Detected

Please support us by disabling your AdBlocker extension from your browsers for our website.