Mr David Anyaele, Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities
By Vivian Ihechu
Lagos – The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) on Thursday urged the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to advance its responsibility to creating public awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities, as contained in National Disability Act 2018.
According to the centre, this is to ensure that citizens know it is a crime against the state to discriminate against any person with disability in Nigeria, of which is key to rehabilitation and reintegration of persons with disabilities.
Mr David Anyaele, Executive Director, CCD, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, that the Act was passed by the 8th session of the National Assembly.
NAN reports that the CCD is the premier organisation of, and for persons with disabilities that works to promote disability rights, independent living, inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in development agenda.
According to Anyaele, the President assented to the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, also known as National Disability Act , and it was made public on Jan. 23, 2019.
He also disclosed that from Jan. 13 to Jan. 17, 2020 the centre would commemorate the first anniversary of the passage National Disability Act .
“ Jan. 17, 2020 is the first anniversary of the passage of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, also known as National Disability Act.
“It was a big relief to the disability community in Nigeria.
“The Act contains provisions that ensure people with disabilities in Nigeria are protected against discrimination and harmful treatment, cruelty and inhuman treatment; access to public building; protection at situation of risk and humanitarian emergencies.
“Also, the law provided for the right of children with disabilities; right to health, education, work and employment, right to drive, right to communication, right to communal life, right to participation in cultural life, recreation and leisure/sport.
“It also provided for the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to address complaints of harassment, discrimination and harmful practices among others.
“ The Act further provides that the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture will be responsible public awareness on the rights of persons with disabilities,” he said.
According to him, with the Act, it is a crime against the state to discriminate against any person with disability in Nigeria which is key to rehabilitation and reintegration of persons with disabilities.
Anyaele said the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, British Council will be hosting a one-week event in Abuja to commemorate the anniversary.
“Activities lined up for the week include Interactive forum with Media Executives; Learning Lessons on Disability Rights Advocacy in Nigeria with CSO/OPDs; Experience Sharing with line MDAs and Committees of the National Assembly.
“It will also include Learning Lessons on Disability Rights Advocacy in Nigeria with Diplomatic Community; and Roadshow.
“The anniversary week will feature the unveiling of the `1st Disability Champion Awards’ by CCD.
“The Award is designed to recognise, honour and celebrate individuals and institutions that have contributed in promoting disability rights, independent living, inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in society on equal basis with other members of the society.’’
Anyaele said the events will also feature premiering of a documentary.
“The documentary showcases 18 years effort by the Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in securing a national legislation for the protection of more than 25 million Nigerians with Disabilities from discrimination and other harmful practices.’’
(NAN)