Abuja – Nigerian and United States rights activists have called for the full integration of persons with disabilities into the affairs of the
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Some of the activists made the call at an event in Abuja on Thursday to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities organised by the U.S. Embassy.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. James Entwistle, spoke of the need for Nigeria to create an environment that will for persons with disabilities.
Entwistle said that doing so would ensure that all Nigerians received civil rights they were guaranteed in the constitution.
“My understanding is that the disabilities bill is back before the senate, and I will never interfere in Nigerian affairs but I am very glad about that.
“Therefore, I encourage all Nigerians to think about issues of disabilities in the context that it is not an act of charity, but it is making sure that all Nigerians receive civil rights they are guaranteed in the constitution.
“I would also encourage you to work to make tangible changes in how Nigeria addresses the many obstacles faced by persons with disabilities.
“The World Health Organisation estimates that there are about 25 million people living with disabilities in Nigeria; that represents about 15 per cent of this vast nation’s population.
“25 million is a number larger than the entire population in more than 100 countries around the world.
“Imagine the social and economic benefits of empowering these millions of Nigerians to become fully integrated into their communities.
“Speaking from the American experience, I can tell you that disabilities rights legislation can bring a better future for all of us.”
Entwisle further said that there was the need for continued advocacy to promote awareness and to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the society.
He also reiterated the commitment of the U.S Government to Nigeria to support persons with disabilities through its various empowerment programmes.
“Here at the U.S. Embassy, we have demonstrated our commitment to disabled persons in Nigeria through empowerment programmes such as President Obama’s Nelson Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young Africans.
“We also provide support to Nigeria’s joint National Association of Persons with Disability Rights Advocacy Centre.
“It is important note as well that as important legislation is, it is a starting point; these issues are never completely resolved, they are issues that have to be fought for every day.”
Also speaking, a representative of the National Assembly, Sen. Danjuma Laah assured that the disability bill would be passed soon by the current legislature.
“The Nigerian disability Rights Act has passed the first and second stage and I hope the third stage will not be problem; we have pushed it on and we do not have to lobby for this.
“We are trying to make sure that persons with disabilities are given equal rights as every able citizen can do.”
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the event, Ms Freky Andrew-Essein, a Nigerian rights activist, called for more awareness on the need to integrate persons with disabilities in the country.
Andrew-Essein urged lawmakers to summon the political will to influence the passage, assent and implementation of the disabilities bill.
“Currently I live with a spinal cord injury and it was as a result of a road accident I had in 2002 and what that led to was the loss of mobility from my waist down and the need to use a wheelchair to get around.
“Living with disability in Nigeria is difficult, however, it is possible. There is the attitudinal barrier because a lot of people have ideas of what disability is and is not.
“There is also the challenge of accessibility to public places and lack of general facilities; there is the need for the political will power and letting people understand the importance of this bill,” she said.
Anotehr rights activist, Mr Bashir Modibbo, called for the revision of the disabilities bill to make it all inclusive.
Modibbo also reiterated the need to set up a commission to promote policies for persons with disabilities.
“Technicality is lacking in the bill. There are areas that I feel have a lot of shortcomings like the area of inclusive education, access, and health issues.
“Establishing a commission would be a recognised institutional representation with which we (disabled persons) can speak to the government and the rest of the world.”
He also called for enhanced coordination of organisations that representing people with disabilities.
“The fight for rights of persons with disabilities can be enhanced if you have a multifaceted approach to it,” he said.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been commemorated since 1992 to promote awareness and mobilise support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society and development.
The day works to promote action to raise awareness about disability issues and draw attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all. (NAN)