By Asma’u Ahmad
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Disability Matters, Dr. Samuel Ankeli, has assured of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to assent to the disability bill as soon as it was passed by the National Assembly.
Dr. Ankeli gave the assurance at the national dialogue on disability in Nigeria in Abuja, with the theme: “Rethinking disability: Adopting an inclusive developmental approach.”
The special assistant noted the intent of the bill to include full integration of persons with disabilities into the society and establishment of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
He said that the plight of persons with disabilities can only be addressed when the concerned group themselves and NGOs, among others, take up the responsibility.
However, he called for concerted efforts of the general public and philanthropists, among other stakeholders, in adopting all inclusive approach in development programmes.
“If persons with disabilities only engages in dialoguing without moving out to tell the government, policy makers, among others, where it pinches there will be no progress in addressing their plights.
“The President is committed to have an inclusive society through an inclusive governance. “We hope the bill through the commitment of the National Assembly will soon be signed into law; it has been passed and been harmonised and when it comes to the executive, I give you the assurance that the President will immediately assent.
“He will also establish the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities which will be vested with the responsibilities of their education, healthcare and social economic and civil rights,” Ankeli
said.
Similarly, Chief of Party, USAID Civil Society Project, Mr. Charles Abani, who highlighted the theme, noted that changes can only be effective when you engage citizens that are excluded from conversation that affect their day to day lives.
Mr. Abani said the right solutions to the plight or needs of persons with disabilities required engaging them to understand what their problems are as well as engage them in designing solutions.
