The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities under the able leadership of Mr. James David Lalu has reassured the Amputees Coalition of Nigeria maximum support in order to guarantee better living for members of the group .

The ES made the reassurance recently in his office during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the group

Lalu who saw the visit as very essential described the moment as an avenue to discuss vital issues on Assistive technology and devices.

“May I use this medium to inform you that the Commission has been providing prosthetics and orthotics to some Persons with physical disabilities and will continue to do more; we equally offered employment to one of the beneficiaries of Assistive Devices who is now under the payroll of the Commission” he disclosed.

The Commission’s Boss further advised the group to ensure that they register with the Commission in order to get their personal disability certificates and identity cards which will enable them to have access to financial inclusions.

The programme officer, Amputees Coalition of Nigeria, Chukwuelo Eva on behalf of the team expressed his gratitude to the Executive Secretary for his support to Amputees over the years.

He also used the medium to inform the meeting of the Annual Awareness Press Conference for Amputees, slated for April 2024 .

The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has commended the Federal Government for the enactment of the 2018 Law against Discrimination for Persons Living with Disability (PWD).

The National Director of the NGO, Dr Sunday Udo, gave the commendation in Abuja on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ consultative forum on inclusive education in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and “We ring the bell campaign”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme was “Inclusive play-based, early childhood education”.

The Director was represented at the event by Mrs Orowo Stephen, Head of Human Resource and Administration of the NGO.

Udo also commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Education and the FCT education secretariat for promoting inclusive induction, especially with the drafting of policy on inclusive education.

He expressed optimism that work on the drafted policy would soon be completed and enforced for the good of PWD, as well as promote an inclusive society for all, including children with disabilities.

He said that TLMN, through its three zero strategy (zero transmission, zero disability, zero discrimination), has tried to bring healing and restoration to people affected by leprosy, neglected tropical diseases and disabilities in Nigeria.

He further said that through its partnership with the Liliane Foundation, based in the Netherlands, TLMN had promoted two of its strategies which are zero discrimination and zero disability through the Inclusion first programme.

According to Udo, “We Ring the Bell” is a worldwide, annual advocacy campaign on Inclusion, carried out in 20 countries since 2015.

He said the event is an avenue to make noise about inclusion of disability in all activities of the government.

He said that the slogan was also all about sending a message to the government and other stakeholders that “All Children, including those with disabilities, have the right to education.”

“This year’s campaign focuses on ‘Inclusive Play-based Early Childhood Education’ (IPECE), which we believe offers Children with disabilities the opportunity to learn at their own pace using educational methods that stimulate their interest in a safe environment.

“We believe that when children are identified as early as possible, they can be stimulated with suitable rehabilitation and early education interventions.

“IPECE, through its unique set up, offers a unique opportunity for caregivers/teachers to support the children to learn (at their own pace) because it promotes a balance between exploration and imitation,” he said.

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPWD), Mr James Lalu, stated that the mandate of the commission was to ensure that the rights of persons with Disability are met.

Represented by Mr Olasoji Adewale, Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Lalu said that there was the need for Nigerians to internalize inclusivity.

He said that the commission had been working in so many ways for the promotion of inclusive education.

According to him, the commission has been able to work towards the establishment of a sign language department at the Nasarawa State University.

The Director, FCT Department of Special Needs Education (DSNE), Mr Jonah Aturu, stated that the department had been playing its role by being a frontline advocate of inclusion of persons living with Disability in all spheres of human endeavours, particularly in education.

Represented by Mrs Amalu Angela, Assistant Director, DSNE, Aturu said that the department is indeed passionate about changing the attitudinal narrative from discrimination to total inclusion of persons with Disability.

He said that the department is working positively for the acceptance of learners and individuals living with one form of disability or the other in the public institution, particularly schools.

“The FCT DSNE operates a wide open-door policy in cross breeding of ideas and partnering with any organisation or individuals in ensuring the accomplishment of this mission. (NAN)

In an attempt to improve the capacity of Women with Disabilities (WWDs) in accessing sexual and reproductive health rights as enjoyed by other women in the society, the Advocacy for Women With Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI) has organized a two-day intensive workshop on sexual reproductive health literacy purposely to equip women with disabilities in Kogi state in particular, and the country at large with relevant skills and knowledge they needed to fight for their rights as far as sexual reproductive health is concerned.

INN reports that the two-day intensive workshop was held at modern age hall Lokongoma, Lokoja Kogi state between Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th September respectively under the theme: “Baseline Survey on Challenges of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Women and Girls With Disabilities.”

Speaking in an interview with Inclusive News Network (INN) the Acting National Coordinator of AWWDI, Mrs Yakubu Bilikus, explained that “AWWDI is an organization of women with disabilities that advocates for the right of women and girls with disabilities in Nigerian”

She notes, “Our work is mostly a community based driven”

“AWWDI got support from funders to implement a project that is geared towards sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls with disabilities”

According to her, “the project is being implemented in Edo, Lagos, FCT, Kogi, Ekiti, Bauchi and Plateau states respectively”

Bilikus also revealed that the project embarked upon by the organization is on its second phase of creating awareness and understanding on the rights of women with disabilities in having access to basic health services just like their counterpart in Nigeria.

The project according to the Acting National Coordinator is at the kick off stages and women and girls with Disabilities were trained to engage other organizations and stakeholders to advocate for their rights.

A physically challenged beneficiary of the training, Mudi Maminetu from Kogi state who could not hide her joy for being one of the successful trainees, took to social media (facebook) to express her appreciation to AWWDI management for organizing such an enlightening event.

She wrote, “I was opportuned to be among women with disabilities to attend a training in Lokoja on 26 and 27 of September”

“The training was organized by AWWDI through our national coordinator, Princess Bilikus Yakubu”

“We were trained as disabled women to acknowledge that It’s our right to get married, It’s our right to bear children, right to determine the number of children we desire to have by procuring family planning medication”

“It’s also our right to access healthcare services, It’s our right to be attended to first before any other person to mention but a few”

She cautioned, “nobody should discriminate against us because of our disabilities”

She added, “the training was focused on enlightening woman and girls with disability on the challenges we face in accessing sexual and reproductive health rights”

“The best way to achieve our goals and claim our rights is through sensitization & advocacy to duty bearers & stakeholders”

Maminetu also spoke more on the experiences she and her colleagues garnered during the workshop which could add values to her personal development as a PWD woman.

She noted, “we learned more about our various rights as a women & girls with disabilities on sexual and reproductive health rights, how to access them and as well as going out to various agencies to advocate for those rights”

“We were taught for example, how to take an advocacy messages to our local government chairmen, to call on all healthcare service providers to pay attention to our needs and make their facilities accessible to our people like building having ramps for wheelchair users and a sign language interpreter in various hospital to make communication smooth for the Deaf patients etc.

INN reports that, the two days intensive workshop was not only meant to train women with disabilities on how they can stand to claim their health-related rights. Several stakeholders were equally invited by the AWWDI management to have an understanding of the project and how they can support women and girls with Disabilities in carrying out their advocacy.

In order to migrate the Database of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities from a descriptive level to an inferential state, the Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Mr James David Lalu has announced his readiness to partner with various stakeholders to provide an accurate Data of Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary who was represented by the Director Planning Research and Statistics Department, NCPWD, Mr. Soji Adewale disclosed this today 5th October, 2023 while fielding questions at Human Rights Radio Studios in Abuja.

Speaking at the platform, Mr. Adewale enumerated the need to aggregate Data of various Clusters of Persons With Disabilities in order to ascertain the right quantity of Assistive devices that would be needed by the disability groups.

“As you may be aware, some Data Management Organizations have postulated that the number of Persons With Disabilities range from 15 to 28 million but, due to the growing population of PWDs in Nigeria, the Commission is willing to partner with all interest groups to provide an accurate Data for proper planning” he said.

He further seized the occasion to inform that the Commission had earlier carried out registration of Persons With Disabilities for the COVID-19 palliatives in 2021.

Also alluding to the need for accurate Data on disabilities, the Program officer, Accountability Lab, Mr. Mnenga Shiiwua, therefore, added that with accurate Data, the accessibility infrastructures in all public spaces would be achieved optimally.

The British High Commission in Nigeria has offered the prestigious Chevening scholarship for the 2024/2025 academic year to some Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

The gesture according to the commission is to guarantee fairness and equal access to education for all in line with international conventions.

Ms Gill Atkinson, Deputy Commissioner of British High Commission in Nigeria, announced this on Wednesday in Abuja during a presentation to showcase the Chevening Scholarship to some persons with disabilities and putting them through the application process.

Atkinson noted Chevening, is one of the best things done between the UK and Nigeria government to deepen its cooperation especially in the education sector and to foster PWDs inclusion in the society.

“Chevening is designed not to discriminate against any particular group of people but to give them the opportunities to study, meet their passions and bring those skills and experiences that they have discovered and developed back to Nigeria.

“The reason we are doing this is to help Nigeria’s brightest and best take their country forward. We really want to see young Nigerians equipped to move their country forward.

“The inclusion of persons with disabilities into the programmes is a way the UK government shows them that they are just like every other person with great abilities.

“Persons with disabilities cannot be left out because they also have a lot to impact on society which is why the inclusion,”Atkinson said.

Mrs Oluwafunmilayo Ladepo, Chevening Programme Officer in Nigeria, said the inclusion of persons with disability was also aimed at providing Nigeria with the positive impact they will bring to the country.

“We are not giving PWDs only because of their disabilities but because they have the ability that many have overlooked due to their disability.

“We have someone from the previous set who is a Journalist with Visual impairment who completed his Masters program and got an internship with BBC.

“This is because of his ability and intelligence and he will be back after his internship to contribute to the media.

“So this is the basic thing, partnering with Nigeria, to improve Nigeria and also to gain from Nigeria because if we have these people going, we are also having strong people coming back to build Nigeria.”

She noted that about forty seven persons with disabilities have benefitted from the programme since 2014 when the UK government started including Persons with Disabilities as beneficiaries.

She also urged as many others to apply for the 2024 session to the UK institutions listed on the Chevening site and ensure that they meet the deadline.

In his remarks, Mr James Lalu, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and Dr Adebayo Adebukola, appreciated the U.K government for including Persons with Disabilities in the programme.

Adebukola said it is an opportunity which would be properly utilised, adding that he looks forward to more Persons with Disabilities benefitting.

“I am very happy for the detailed explanation which will guide Persons with Disabilities through the application process and what to expect in the UK.

“It is also an opportunity to learn from the UK and bring back to Nigeria and build our own country because the UK and other developed countries were built by their own people and not spirits.

“We need people to go there and learn and bring in policies that will help push for more inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Nigerian society”, Adebukola said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also had Persons with Disabilities who have benefitted from previous Chevening Scholarship share their experiences, and give inspirations to others.

NAN also reports that the Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and partner organisations.

The scholarship is worth about £35,000 to £45,000 pounds per scholar which is about thirty five million naira.

The programme which has been in Nigeria since 1984 offers awards to outstanding scholars with leadership potential to study for a master’s degree in any subject at any UK university.

The UK Government had earlier awarded 44 Nigerians including Persons with Disabilities in the Chevening 2023/2024 cycle.

Interested candidates can apply through the link here

The Special Assistant to the governor of Abia State on Persons With Disabilities, Mr David Anyaele, has urged Nigerians particularly the media to be in the forefront of the campaigns to implement the Disability Act enacted by the National Assembly as well as state houses of assembly across the nation.

Speaking at a sensitisation workshop for Media execu­tives working in Abia State in Umuahia on Thursday, Any­aele lamented it is disappoint­ing that despite enactment of the Disability Acts at federal and state levels, most states have refused to implement the content of the Acts.

He tasked the media to assume a pivotal role by en­suring that the rights of peo­ple with disabilities are protected.

Anyaele, who is the imme­diate past Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Dis­abilities, said however that the Abia State government will implement the content of the Abia State Disability Law as enacted by the State House of Assembly in 2022.

According to him, Gov. Otti’s promises of enhancing the wel­fare and wellbeing of Persons with Disabilities will be implemented from Ward to Ward, adding that his adminis­tration is committed to ensur­ing the welfare of the deprived.

In his comment at the event, the Abia State Chair­man, Persons with Disabilities, Mr Okechukwu Kalu, appealed to the state government to take adequate measures to protect the rights of PWDs.

He noted that those PWDs have the right to life, to asso­ciation, to assembly etc and therefore urged the media to help defend the rights of the Persons With Disabil­ities across the nation.

The Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) has praised the State chapter of the Nigeria Association for the Blind (NAB) for putting the resources of the Lagos State government given to them to good use.

The congratulatory message is in-line with the recent setting up of an inclusive centre by the association.

In a press statement signed by the General Manager of LASODA, Mr. Dare Dairo, it was disclosed that the items given to NAB by the Lagos State Government were used for the inclusive press centre.

The statement reads in part that “following the 2022 celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, where Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu made true his commitment to ensure that persons with disabilities are effectively mainstreamed in all its investments towards infrastructural and human development of the State, the Governor, through LASODA presented the State NAB with some materials, including a brand new braille machine worth over 4M naira, a brand new hybrid computer and two laptops – all fitted with licensed JAWS software, 100 guide canes and a cheque of 1.5M Naira.”

Mr. Dare Dairo thereafter enjoined the leadership of NAB to embrace the ideals of social enterprise towards optimising the innate abilities in their members to lead a dignified and productive life as a departure from begging and total dependence on government and society.

He assures the association of the unwavering commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu to support the ideals of social inclusion for all people with disabilities in the state, adding that “that is why LASODA was created in the first place.”

To set up the Inclusive Press Centre, NAB fundraised to secure funds that they could use to set up the office.

The NAB Chairman, Barr Lukman Salami said “the Lagos State government gave us this Braille Embosser and Inclusive computers but we couldn’t use them because we needed more money to set them up.”

He appreciated the Lagos State Government and the individuals that have supported the inclusive press centre, stressing that it would help to enhance access to learning materials for Blind persons in Lagos State.

INEC has prepared 2,238 Polling Units for PWDs ahead of the November 11 Election in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states.

Barely forty-five days to governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has designated 2,238 polling units for people with disabilities (PWDs).

Kunle Ajayi, the national commissioner and member of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja during an engagement with media executives ahead of the governorship election slated for November 11, 2023.

As part of its ongoing effort to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other marginalized groups in elections, in Kogi State, the Commission has provided Braille ballots for visually impaired voters, made magnifying glasses available for people with albinism, and introduced enlarged posters for voters with hearing impairments.

He said: “We have taken additional steps to integrate into the voting procedure a process that prioritises voting for PWDs and vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.

“All post-2023 general election review engagements at the state level, in Abuja and Lagos, were successful. Several suggestions on how we can improve elections were gathered, and the implementation of some has already commenced.

“Part of the recommendations is what we are implementing today: having a comprehensive engagement with the media and increasing voter education and sensitisation of the electorate ahead of the election.

“We look forward to implementing some of these suggestions, which require administrative action, in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State.”

Earlier, Rotimi Olakanmi, the Press Secretary to Prof. Yakubu Mahmoud, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in his address, urged the media to uphold the facts and ethics of the profession in their reporting for a peaceful conduct of the governorship election in Kogi, adding that this appeal is vital looking at the unfortunate trend of deviating from facts in recent times, especially in social media where fake news trend more than the real news.

He said “As stakeholders, the media should resist the temptation to deviate from facts, as seen in social media, where fake news has become prevalent”.

“Let’s practise in accordance with the ethics of the profession and the laws of the land to help INEC succeed in its task of conducting credible, peaceful, and successful elections in Kogi come November 11”.

Speaking also, Kogi Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Gabriel Hale Longpet described the media as very critical partner and stakeholders in November 11 governorship election.

He pointed out that the media should assist the commission in achieving a successful election, adding that INEC is well prepared and ready for the election, aiming for a peaceful and credible process that would contribute to the growth and development of Kogi.

He said “All we want is for the people of Kogi to demonstrate a change of attitude towards elections and ensure that the election is peaceful, credible, and smooth.

“Therefore, political actors should not engage in anything that will negatively affect the forthcoming election but should support the Commission to succeed for the good of the state.”

Adeiza Mommoh Jimoh, Kogi State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in his address, commended the commission for organising the media parley, which he noted was the first of its kind since the creation of Kogi, as he requested the commission provide journalists with accreditation cards and other necessary materials, especially reflective jackets that could help distinguish them for security reasons.

He assured INEC of journalists’ readiness to give the November 11 governorship election the necessary coverage for a peaceful, credible, and successful election in the state.”

The Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) utterly decries the brutal and despicable rape and murder of Uche, a 13-year-old girl with disability who was raped to death in the most bestial and barbaric manner on the 23rd day of September 2023, at Aborjieze village in Umuagu-Inyi Autonomous Community in Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State

A statement signed by Justice Christopher, Director Media and Publicity, ALDIN National noted that Uche Cyril Ajala Onwuzuru, a minor with hearing and speech impairment was savagely, unconscionably and sexually molested to the point that the little girl lost her life immediately after the act, by a 70 year-old man identified as Anthony Mgbenwa Okpara.

Reacting to the news, the National President of ALDIN, Ikem U. Uchegbulam Esq, said “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this despicable, reprehensible, and condemnable sexual predation and assault on a minor with disability,”

The Association is deeply worried that this heinous act of raping and murdering persons with disabilities is becoming a pattern and signs of a broader societal problem which must be stem with extreme urgency, anything short of this will undermine Nigeria’s legal system and the foundation of our moral existence

ALDIN express it’s heartfelt condolences to the family, and the Disability community on the tragic and unfortunate event. While restating it’s unalloyed commitment to pursuing the case to its logical conclusion and ensuring that Justice is done.

It further urged the police and authorities to comprehensively and thoroughly investigate and prosecute all responsible parties to the maximum extent of the law as well as to step up to their responsibilities of not just solving rape and murders and other crimes but prevention of such heinous crimes.

ALDIN further urge members of the public to unite against this animalistic brutality and supports justice for her, and to be vigilant and always intervene and protect persons with Disabilities and vulnerable members of the society.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr James Lalu, says 85 percent of schools in Nigeria are not accessible to persons with disabilities.

Lalu disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists on the sidelines of a two-day National Summit on Access to Education for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

The summit was to establish evidence-based situations on implementation of inclusive education for PwDs, in line with relevant national and International legal frameworks.

He explained that lack of accessible learning environment, inadequate teachers and assistive devices were factors denying Persons with Disabilities access to education.

“When you look at our schools in Nigeria, I can rightly say that about eighty five to ninety five percent are not accessible to persons with disabilities.

“Because structures are being raised on daily basis by federal, states and local governments that do not conform with the minimum accessibility standards for Persons with Disabilities to access.

”It is part of our mandate which was properly captured in sections 2 to 15 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018,” he said.

He disclosed that the commission had come up with a national regulation on accessibility which provides new dimension and standards on accessibility of public buildings in Nigeria.

“There is growing inadequacy of teachers that are supposed to handle children with disabilities to ensure access to education,” he said.

The executive secretary called on stakeholders to support efforts towards ensuring that Persons with Disabilities have good access to education.

In his message to the event, Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said the summit came at a time the ministry was pushing for the implementation of the national inclusive policy on education.

The minister who was represented by Dr Claris Ujami, said, inclusive education is key to ensuring social inclusion, job creation and independent living for PwDs.

He expressed optimism that the commitment of stakeholders will help achieve inclusive education for children with disabilities.

“I think inclusive education is something that we can achieve if we can work together with all partners.

“I believe we can achieve the educational goals and the outcomes that we expect for Nigerian education sector” he added.

Earlier, Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), pledged to support effort towards strengthening access to education for children with disabilities.

“Many countries including Nigeria, have a means of exemption of equal accessibility to quality education for persons living with disabilities.

“Specifically, international policy on education stipulates that education must be delivered to all without any form of discrimination.

“Nigeria have arrangement with the United Nations to provide access to education for persons with disabilities, with concrete efforts and having the merits to implement it with special attention to inclusiveness,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders at the event were unanimous on the need for collaboration with relevant national and international organisations to achieve better outcomes for children with disabilities in Nigeria. (NAN)