Persons With disabilities (PWDs), want the incoming administration to ensure the appointment of members at the national, subnational and cabinet levels.
Founder of The Albino Foundation, Jake Ekpelle made the appeal at a workshop in Abuja, organized to discuss the importance of appointing PWDs in key offices of government.
Mr Ekpelle submitted that Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are one of the most marginalized groups in Nigeria and across the world.
He went further to state that despite several calls for the inclusion of PWDs in governance, very little has been done so far.
“This is why we are calling on the incoming administration to appoint PWDs into his cabinet, because it is the way forward, if we must promote inclusion in Nigeria”.
“We need affirmative action policies that promote the employment of PWDs in both the public and private sectors, as well as incentives to encourage employers to hire PWDs.”.
“Doing this alone will make all the states, local governments, MDAs and private sector to do same and 15% of out hitherto lost GDP will be reclaimed” he stated.
Contributing, Executive Director of CARE Dr Chike Okogwu, agreed that Persons with disabilities have the capacity and credibility to lead public offices and contribute to national growth and development if given the opportunity.
Representative of the KUKAH Center Attah Barkindo, said according to the 2019 Disability Act, at least 5 percent of employment opportunities are meant to be reserved for persons with disabilities.
“However, what we have seen is a far cry from what should be attainable going to by 2019 Disability Act.” He added.
Reporting by Julian Osamoto
1 comment
I’m one of people with disability, I graduate since 13years ago but i get any job. If incoming administration consider people with disability create job for them include me, they will happy.