The Chairman of the Association of Persons with Disabilities, Badagry chapter (APWD), Mr Sejoro Ekundayo Peter has said the level of negligence faced by Disability community in Badagry is too high.
He said this during the maiden International day of persons with disabilities organised by the association in collaboration with Badagry Local Government on Wednesday.
The theme for this year is “United in Action to rescue and achieve the sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities“.
Sejoro who took over as chairman of APWD in September this year said because of the negligence, PWDs in Badagry face 10 times various challenges that hinder their full and equal participation in society.
While lauding public and private sectors for their support to PWDs in their little ways, the Chairman calls on government at all levels and private sectors to do more for Persons with Disabilities.
Sejoro Ekundayo, chairman Association of Persons with Disabilities, Badagry Chapter
“We seek inclusion in every strata of government.” He said
“These levels of government have done very little in providing support for people with disabilities in Badagry especially in the implementation of 10% quota meant for these vulnerable persons in every intervention and empowerment programmes offered by the government in compliance with Lagos state special people’s law 2011 and Nigeria Disability Act 2018.”
Speaking further, the Chairman added that “the 5 years transitory period granted by the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 is expected to end on the 16th of January, 2024.
“The Nigerian Disability Act, with the establishment of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) has mandated all owners of public buildings both government and private, including healthcare services, mosques and churches to ensure their facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. Violators will be penalized starting from January 16, 2024.”
The Association calls on all public and private sectors to begin placing ramps and other accessible tools on their buildings before the date.
Also speaking, Mrs Funmi Ogunro, the Founder, Friends of the Deaf Foundation urged Nigerians to always find ways to assist People with Disabilities.
She called on persons with disabilities to explore volunteer opportunities with the organizations that aligns with the SDG goals they are passionate about and not complain of unemployment.
According to her, “That way, they would be able to develop their skills and build experience which will later help in getting job opportunities.
“Through the foundation, we have trained over 3,000 people the Basic Sign Language and enrolled 40 children with disabilities in FDF Academy, which started in my house.”
In her remarks, Prof Bilikisu Latiaji-Okunneye, the Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin, said the institution has established the Department of Adult and Special Education to take care of Persons With Disabilities.
Latiaji-Okunneye, was represented by Dr Dele Monotoye, the Acting Dean, College of Specialised and Professional Education, LASUED.
According to the VC, in the next few years, we hope that the department would have been fully established so that we can train people in special needs.
Mr Adewale Adeyanju, PRO of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Lagos State chapter, disclosed what entails in the disability laws, he said “the law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and imposes sanctions including fines and prison sentences on those who contravene it. The law also establishes a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, responsible for ensuring that people with disabilities have access to housing, education, and healthcare. The Commission is empowered to receive complaints of rights violations and support victims to seek legal redress amongst other duties.
“The enactment of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act is only a first step in the fulfillment of Nigeria’s obligations under the CRPD. Authorities should now put effective measures in place for its full implementation to ensure equal treatment and participation of people with disabilities across Nigeria.”