By Thompson Yamput
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have called on the Kogi Government to intensify efforts in domesticating disability law in the state, to enable it to function in the interest of disable community.
Mr Solomon Yahaya, Chairman, Kogi Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWDs), made the call during the celebration of the 2023 International Day of disability in Lokoja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s celebration was organized by the association, in collaboration with Leprocy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) during which a road walk was staged by the PWDs within the streets of Lokoja metropolis.
Yahaya explained that the domestication of disability law in Kogi would open opportunities for the government to address all the grey areas affecting the People With Disabilities in the state.
“We are appreciative of what the state government has been doing for us over the years but believe that domesticating the disability law will do us much good.
“JONAPWDs is hereby pleading with the state government, corporate organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to always consider us in whatever they do, ” he said.
The Board Chairman, Kogi Office of Disability Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Arome, said the theme of the event “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities”, was apt in view of the enormous challenges facing PWDs across the world.
Arome appealed to government at all levels to prioritise issues of disability by coming yo their aid at all times.
“We are appealing to government, spirited individuals and organisations to come to our aid because up till now, there are public structures or building that disables can not access, as such bodies were not constructed with due considerations for PWDs.
“We want Kogi State Government and political parties to consider us in elective positions, empowerment and other areas that can enhance the well being of disabled in the state, ” he stated.
The Resource Person, Mr Hamza Aliyu, who is the Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroots Advancement (IGRA), in his paper presentation, called for full implementation of laws established to advance the cause of people with disabilities.
Aliyu said until government and other organisations as well as spirited individuals showed some level of concerns to PWDs, their problems would linger and families badly affected. NAN
