Abuja: The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunity, Mr. Mohammed Isa, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to disability inclusion, equal opportunity, and youth empowerment in Nigeria. He emphasized the administration’s dedication during the inauguration of the ‘Bold Action for Advancing Disability Right and Inclusive Development Project’ in Abuja, targeting selected states in the North Central region.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the three-year project is a collaborative effort between the Justice Department and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, and Christian Blind Mission (CBM) International. Isa highlighted the project’s aim to promote the rights and participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Benue, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He stressed the importance of recognizing persons with disabilities as equal citizens and contributors to national development.
Isa noted the project’s focus on strengthening disability-inclusive systems and improving access to opportunities and services. He reiterated the government’s commitment to removing barriers that hinder full participation in society for persons with disabilities. The administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aims to ensure inclusive development, emphasizing that disability should not be a barrier to opportunities in education, employment, and leadership.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Deborah Odoh, commended JDPCI and CBM for their initiative. Represented by Dr. Brenda Max-Nduaguibe, Odoh emphasized that disability inclusion should be an integral part of development planning, reflecting the ministry’s commitment to inclusive and evidence-based planning.
Chief Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, praised the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability Prohibition Act (2018) as a testament to the government’s dedication to an inclusive society. He noted that 30 states, including Benue, Plateau, and the FCT, have domesticated the Act, and efforts are ongoing to ensure its full implementation across various sectors.
Gufwan, represented by Dr. Adebayo Adebukola, assured continued support for the project’s objectives, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. He expressed optimism for the project’s success and the further advancement of disability rights in Nigeria.