The Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, JONAPWD Abia State chapter has appealed to the Abia State government to establish a commission that will address all their needs as stipulated by Abia State disability law.
They also demanded for construction of hostels at school for the blind Afara, establishment of secondary school for disabled persons in Abia State, subvention, empowerment, employment and demanded Abia State government to make the state workers secretariat disability friendly.
Addressing the disability community during their day/interactive forum with Abia State Governor, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engineer Ikechukwu Emetu promised that the state government would continue to prioritize their welfare.
Emetu who represented the state Governor, Dr Alex Otti OFR, said the present administration has been campaigning for a better welfare package for the disability community in the State.
According to him, the sponsorship of para sports in 2023 to national and foreign countries, presentation of grant to some of their members through the ministry of SMS are testament to the government’s resolve to do more for them.
He called for a multi-stakeholder approach, involving traditional heads, religious bodies, and families of people with disabilities to come together to implement the provisions of the Abia State Disability Law, adding that “As a government with great concern for the people living with disabilities in Abia State, we shall continue to adhere to the provisions of the Abia State Disability Law to improve the lots of people with disability in the state.
The Governor said “that his government will always accord persons with disability their due rights as seen in the coronation of an auditory-impaired person as a traditional ruler of an autonomous community in the state, the appointment of people with disabilities in his government, the inauguration of para-sports in the state and sponsorship to paralympic events, including the 2023 National Para Games held in Abuja where the state came second, winning medals and a trophy from the National Sports Commission and assured of his commitment to strengthen engagement mechanisms to foster the inclusion of persons with disabilities in policy-making processes at all levels”.
In his speech, the state commissioner for sports, Nwaobilo Ananaba
expressed gratitude that JONAPWD has been doing the state proud especially in sports by breaking a world record.
He said his ministry has set a platform for youth empowerment and promised that persons with disabilities would be accommodated.
The Special Assistant to governor Alex Otti on Persons with Disabilities, David Anyaele said JONAPWD, his office in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development organized the Abia State Disability Day and interactive session with the governor. Anyaele disclosed that the purpose of the Day was to promote the rights, dignity, and well-being of persons with disabilities.
According to him, the day was also set aside to increase awareness on the gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
The theme for the Abia State Disability Day Anyaele said is Accelerating Action to Enhance Access and Participation of Abians with Disabilities in Governance.
Presenting his speech, the chairman joint national association of persons with disabilities, Abia State chapter, Mr Wisdom Kalu said their aim is to protect, promote and project the plight, yearnings and aspirations of all persons with disabilities.
While commending the Abia State Governor for appointing some of them in his government, Kalu listed their to include operational vehicle, unemployment, lack of scholarship and skill acquisition, to fully support the celebrations of their international special days, building of deaf secondary school among others.
JONAPWD which is an umbrella of all disabled persons including the leprosy charged parents who are hiding their disabled children at home to bring them out. The association believed that their colleagues at various homes have their God’s giving talents that will benefit the society.
The event kick started with a Road walk starting from the Umuahia Township Stadium and ended at the Government House, Umuahia.
