The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has established a strategic partnership with the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to address the socio-economic challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across the North-East region.
The collaboration follows a high-level meeting between Hon. Isa and the Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali, at the NEDC headquarters in Yobe State. The meeting also had in attendance the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Garba Abubakar Iliya; General Manager, Administration, Alhaji Kadai Usman; and the Yobe State Coordinator, Professor Ali Ibrahim Abbas.
Hon. Isa stated that the partnership aligns with the mandate given to him by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to promote inclusion, empowerment, and improved welfare for PWDs nationwide.
According to him, the collaboration will focus on rehabilitation, resettlement, and economic empowerment of individuals living with disabilities who have been adversely impacted by years of Boko Haram insurgency and recurring flood disasters that have devastated communities in the region.
Alhaji Alkali reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups and highlighted key intervention areas including skills acquisition, ICT and digital literacy training, and the provision of empowerment resources aimed at restoring hope and resilience among PWDs.
The North-East is believed to have the highest population of persons with disabilities in Nigeria, due to prolonged conflict, displacement, and other humanitarian crises. Hon. Isa noted that the partnership will intensify ongoing efforts to provide assistive devices, strengthen inclusive education and improve access to livelihood opportunities.
He commended Alhaji Alkali’s leadership and the Commission’s dedication to advancing inclusive and sustainable development, praising the alignment of their objectives with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. He added that the MD’s reappointment by the President reflects recognition of his impact and commitment to rebuilding lives and infrastructure in the region.
Hon. Isa further expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunity to champion disability inclusion at the national level. He reiterated that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that no citizen is left behind in its development programmes.
“This strategic partnership is a significant milestone in ensuring that PWDs in the North-East gain access to rehabilitation and sustainable livelihoods as the region continues its rebuilding and recovery process,” he said.
The initiative is expected to strengthen institutional collaboration and accelerate inclusive development across the six states of the North-East region.
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