Abuja: The Justice Department and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has called on stakeholders to renew their commitment to inclusion, dignity, equality, and justice in the country. The Executive Director of JDPCI, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni, made this call at the inauguration of the ‘Bold Action for Advancing Disability Rights and Inclusive Development Project’ for selected states in North Central Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the three-year project, in partnership with Christian Blind Mission (CBM) International, focuses on addressing disability inclusion from a broader and more sustainable perspective in Benue, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Rev. Fr. Sanni emphasized that the project aims to promote the rights, participation, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
He further explained that the initiative would contribute to strengthening disability-inclusive systems, improving access to opportunities and essential services, and supporting the participation of persons with disabilities in community development and decision-making processes. “We, therefore, see this project as a platform for partnership, collective action, and sustainable change. At JDPCI, we remain firmly committed to the principles of human dignity, social justice, participation, equity, and the common good,” he said.
Rev. Fr. Sanni urged stakeholders to view the project as a collective responsibility and encouraged government institutions to commit to implementing disability-inclusive policies. He also invited civil society organizations and development partners to enhance collaboration, knowledge sharing, and joint advocacy. “This is not merely launching a project. We are launching a renewed commitment to inclusion, dignity, equality, and justice,” he added.
The Country Director for CBM, Mr. Samuel Omoi, represented by Finance Expert Mr. Emmanuel Abba, reiterated the focus on persons with disabilities in all three locations. Mr. Omoi highlighted other disability programs funded by CBM, such as the Disability Rights Advocacy Project for Inclusive Development (D-RAPID) in Delta, which includes components for national level disability-inclusive coordination and programming.
Mr. Bitrus Ameloko, Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Command, expressed the corps’ alignment with the project’s objectives. Represented by Assistant Commandant Mrs. Obi Ogechi, Mr. Ameloko affirmed NSCDC’s commitment to enforcing disability laws and supporting the project’s goals. He noted that the NSCDC had established disability desks across all states and trained over 100 officers in sign languages to swiftly address matters affecting persons with disabilities.
In conclusion, Mr. Ameloko stated, “We are here to support persons with disabilities and to enforce the Discrimination Against Persons With Disability Prohibition Act 2018. We are ready to partner with every organization that is in tandem with this and the JDPCI objectives.”