The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State chapter, has called on the state government to take proactive steps toward the full enforcement of the Disability Rights Law to guarantee equal participation and protection for persons with disabilities.
The association also urged the inclusion of persons with disabilities in decision-making and governance structures, stressing that their involvement is critical to effective policy formulation and programme implementation.
Speaking in Awka, the Anambra State capital, the State Chairman of JONAPWD, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, noted that despite their significant contributions to education, sports, business, culture, innovation, and governance, persons with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers that limit their full participation in society.
Okeke expressed concern over persistent challenges confronting the disability community in the state, including inaccessible public buildings and transport systems, limited employment opportunities, weak enforcement of disability laws, discrimination, inadequate assistive devices, poor inclusive education frameworks, and insufficient representation in leadership and policy-making roles.
He called on the Anambra State Government to strengthen enforcement mechanisms of the Disability Rights Law, improve accessibility across public infrastructure, empower the State Disability Commission, and expand livelihood and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. He also urged religious institutions to make places of worship more inclusive and to actively combat stigma within communities.
The JONAPWD chairman spoke on the sidelines of activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) and Praise Day, held under the theme, “Let’s Praise God.” He explained that the annual observance provides a global platform to promote dignity, raise awareness on disability issues, and advocate policies that foster inclusion.
Highlighting the 2025 global IDPD theme, “Fostering a Disability-Inclusive Society for Advancing Social Progress,” Okeke emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved when persons with disabilities are excluded from education, employment, healthcare, governance, infrastructure, and community life.
He said the event also served as an opportunity to celebrate the resilience of persons with disabilities while reflecting on issues affecting their rights, welfare, and inclusion. Okeke commended Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on his re-election, describing it as a vote of confidence by the people, and praised both the governor and the First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, for their support to the disability community through empowerment and welfare initiatives.
JONAPWD further expressed appreciation to the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for extending economic empowerment to 250 persons with disabilities in Anambra State, encouraging beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly while assuring others of inclusion in future editions.
The event featured health talks by the Nigeria Women Medical Association led by Dr. Onubogu, worship sessions, first aid training by the Nigerian Red Cross, and a financial literacy lecture on savings and investment by Access Bank.
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