NCPD APPRECIATES PRESIDENT BUHARI …calls for inclusiveness of persons with disabilities in nation building

Caroline Ameh

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Mr. James David Lalu as come out to appreciate President Mohammadu Buhari for listening to their cry of about twenty years by establishing the Commission for persons with disabilities.

This was made known during the celebration of the International Day of persons with disabilities in Abuja.
This year’s celebration with the theme: Building Back Better towards disability inclusiveness, accessibility and sustainability; post COVID-19 marks the official event of the Commission since its inception in 2020.

According to the Executive Secretary, there are about 31.5 million persons living with disabilities in Nigeria and the number keeps increasing on a daily basis. He noted that the President has done well for persons with disabilities by the gesture.

Mr Lalu stated,  “to succeed, the Commission deserves the support of everybody because the commission only cannot handle all that has to do with the it. We need the support of all agencies and individuals “.

He said the Commission is talking with other MDAs, to ensure they give priority to persons with disabilities and special needs especially in building facilities that will be friendly for their usage. “This year’s theme is all about inclusiveness and we are reaching out to these agencies to ensure we are captured in their planning “.

The President of the Joint National Association for Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Ekaete Judith Umoh while appreciating President Buhari, urged every member of the association to see how they can give back to the country and not just always be recipients.

She noted that, it has now become necessary to engage constructively to the development of Nigeria, seeing most of them are endowed with special abilities.
“We should look out for opportunities that will make us get involved in the development of the country by way of personal and professional development. Build up yourself to get involved”, she said.

Also the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, (the mother ministry of the commission) express profound joy over the establishment of the Commission stating that the struggle of over 18 years is over.

Mr. Razak Adekoya of Sight Savers International urged the Commission to ensure it creates a data base of all its members nationwide as data is the current clock of development that will make all its members relevant in the society.

He also urged the leadership of the Commission to give at least 30% of it’s procurement to members who are entrepreneurs as a means of supporting them, noting that such practices are seen in other climes like Kenya and others.

This year’s event was marked with presentations of awards and inspiring performances from persons with disabilities.