By Chidiebere Ugwu
No fewer than 30 million persons in Nigeria who have one form of disability or the other suffer discrimination, neglects, barriers, poverty, and exclusion due to the inadequacies and in some instance absence of systems and structure, Grace Jerry, Coalition of the Advocacy for Disability Act Cluster (ADAC), Anchor and Executive Director, The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) has said.
Jerry gave hint at the ADAC Cluster at the Legislative Retreat to Harnessing Legislative Support on the Gombe and Taraba State Disability Bill, which held recently at in Jimeta, Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
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Speaking during her welcome remarks, Jerry maintained that the community of Persons with Disabilities has diverse skills, potentials, economic contributions that inform development, and a huge demography to determine the outcome of an election but has been neglected over time.
“Permit me to especially welcome Honourable members from Gombe and Taraba State House of Assembly, Chairman Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Chairman Non-governmental Organizations present, Ministries of Government from Gombe and Taraba States, religious institutions, and Gentle me of the Press.
“This Legislative Retreat to Harnessing Legislative Support on the Gombe and Taraba State Disability Bill is very important for ADAC, Communities of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Gombe and the and to Taraba state at large.
“According to the United Nations statistics which estimate 15% of the world’s population to be PWDs, there are over 30 million persons in Nigeria who have one form of disability or the other. With these estimates, Taraba State has 541,470 persons who have one form of disability or the other considering the population of over 3,609,800 and Gombe state has about 600,000 persons who have one form of disability or the other.
“This population has diverse skills, potentials, economic contributions that inform development, and a huge demography to determine the outcome of an election. No doubt, the community of Persons with Disabilities has suffered discrimination, neglects, barriers, poverty, and exclusion due to the inadequacies and in some instance absence of systems and structure” she said.
The IFA boss noted that having legislation that protects the rights and drives accountability from State and Non-state actors will create accessible systems and structures and will in return lead to the development and growth of the state.
“Having legislation that protects the rights and drives accountability from State and Non-state actors will create accessible systems and structures and will in return lead to the development and growth of the state. ADAC is committed to ensuring persons with disabilities (PWDs) live a fulfilled life through an accessible system and structure which is rooted in inclusive legislation which informed this meeting to get our Legislature from Gombe and Taraba state support the Disability Bill and consider it for passage.
“The ADAC calls on the media to provide informed awareness to citizens on their roles, the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to carry out their responsibilities towards achieving this great slide of a disability law in Gombe and Taraba State.
“We encourage Persons with Disabilities to continuously work in unison and the incoming Assembly of the Taraba State should kindly prioritize the Disability Bill and Commission.
“I am optimistic that with the caliber of people seated at this retreat, we will come up with practical and achievable steps, and actionable commitments that will fill the existing disability gaps through the passage of the Disability Law in both states..
“I will like to thank our partners Palladium for their technical assistance; and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), for their financial assistance. The Disability community is most grateful for their support”.
