- A cocktail was organized at Dennis Hotel, Abuja in observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Olufemi Adigun had granted a disability and policy-centered interview to the NTA and Mr. Larry, a US consulate officer
- The formal occasion was a continuum of gathering- present were the Deaf Resource Centre, Representatives of the Nigerian Association of the Deaf, Abuja Association of the Deaf, Nigeria delegates to the United Nations Committee on the rights of persons with disabilities, including influential dignitaries, stakeholders and local and international news media
- The Deaf Resource Centre presented awards and certificates to individuals who have played outstanding roles in improving the resources and opportunities of people with disabilities in Nigeria
Dr. Olufemi Adigun, of the Department of Special Education, has granted a brief but insightful interview with a government newsgroup, and a representative of the United States embassy at Dennis Hotel, Abuja.
The recently-graduated doctoral student of the University of Ibadan spoke with a newsgroup and Mr. Larry about the long-standing issues of accessibility for persons with disabilities, in comparison to the settings in the United States. However, Mr. Larry, a consulate officer representing the United States embassy stated that Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) had been in existence for over 27 years.
The IDEA was originally passed in 1975 and has been “inclusively” amended and revised many times over the years. The ADA was enacted and passed into law in 1990 by President Bush Snr.
Recognizing our nation’s embarrassing indecisiveness, Dr. Adigun was optimistic about the capacity of our nation’s leaders to give assent to the Disability Bill currently under contentious debate. The Disability Bill, if given assent to, (and it will be soon), will, in no small measure, provide ample benefits to Nigerians with disabilities.” The doctor gushed.
A stately cocktail dinner had been organized at Denis Hotel, Abuja in observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the nation’s federal capital on 3rd December 2017.
In attendance included highly influential stakeholders, personalities, official delegations, including a good number of civic organizations on behalf of the disabled in Nigeria.
Stately lit and varyingly representative of groups and interests, the formal occasion had in attendance the President, Nigeria Association for the Deaf, the chairman, Abuja Association of the Deaf, groups, delegates, stakeholders and influential personages.