By Chidiebere Ugwu
The Advocacy for Disability Act (ADAC) Cluster a consortium of five Civil Society Organizations (CSO); El-New Hope Foundation Abia State, Global Youth Empowerment and Vulnerable Initiative Adamawa State, Lawanti Development Community Foundation Gombe State, Center for Peace Education and Community Development Taraba State, and led by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) in Abuja has staged a solidarity walk, on the need to establish the Adamawa State Disability Commission.
Grace Jerry, the Executive Director IFA and ADAC Cluster Anchor, in a statement, said the Cluster is implementing the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) through Palladium and funded by USAID.
According to Jerry, the Solidarity Walk is conducted by ADAC and the Adamawa structures of the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and other organizations of Persons with Disabilities, Civil Society Organizations and other concern group.
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The statement reads in parts: “ADAC welcome you all to the Adamawa State Disability Solidarity Walk that is aimed at Advocating to the good administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintir to Establish the Adamawa State Disability Commission in the State.
“The ADAC is very aware of the inclusive steps of this administration especially after it paid advocacy call to some key government officials before and after the re-election of His Excellency.
“The involvement of the Community in the distribution of palliative material, employment opportunities and other empowerment programs however, we encourage His Excellency to engrave his name in history by establishing a Disability Commission which is in accordance to the Adamawa Disability Law of 2016 and make to enlist the state among inclusive state in the country.
“This Solidarity Walk calls on the administration of His Excellency, RT. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri to Speedy fulfill his commitment made on his X handle formerly called Twitter “Our government remains committed to fostering policies and programmes for an enhanced standard of living. Let’s collaborate to build an inclusive and supportive society for all”
“Establishing the Adamawa State Disability Commission is a right step in Fostering Policies that enhance standard of living which is the desire of His Excellency. The implementation of the Adamawa State Disability Law will enhance the Inclusive Education, Accessible Health Systems, closing the knowledge deficit that exists between the citizenry, stop discrimination of Persons with Disabilities, create inclusive employment with reasonable accommodation, Accessible Systems and Structures, and increase economic growth of the state thereby reducing insecurity. We call on Private Sector to provide Persons with Disabilities oriented programming through the use of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and on the citizenry to increase their support to the sustainability of the Government’s efforts for Persons with Disabilities.
“The Religious and Traditional Institutions should support Persons with Disabilities through increase Sensitization using their structured platforms for behavioral change so as to eradicate Discrimination against PWDs and make worship centers accessible for all.
“We congratulate His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for his re-election, ADAC applauds the effort of the Governor in creating an inclusive environment and supporting Persons with Disabilities, it urge the government to Establish the Adamawa State Disability Commission which will sustain Disability Issues for the State”.
