By Muhammad Amaan
The Vulnerable People Support and Development Initiative (V-PeSDI) has joined the Kano Network of NGOs (KANET) in submitting a consolidated set of recommendations to the AKY 2027 Campaign Blueprint Development Committee.
The recommendations, compiled from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) across Kano State, were formally presented on Sunday to the Committee Chairman, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, in Kano.
The submission is part of KANET’s collective commitment to promoting inclusive development and contributing to the sustainable development agenda of Kano State. The document contains wide-ranging proposals on governance, social inclusion, health, education, and community development.
A major highlight of the engagement was the dissemination of disability awareness posters by V-PeSDI Coordinator, Aftahana Dahiru Sarina. The three posters were designed to promote positive attitudes, accessibility, dignity, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in society.
According to Sarina, the first poster, with the message “Disability Is Not Inability,” underscores that persons with disabilities possess abilities, talents, and valuable contributions to make to their families, communities, and workplaces.
He noted that disability should never be used as a basis for discrimination or denial of opportunities.
The second poster, “Accessibility Is a Right, Not a Privilege,” emphasizes that persons with disabilities have the right to access public and private spaces, services, information, and opportunities on an equal basis with others.
It calls for the provision of accessible infrastructure, including ramps and other inclusive facilities in public and private buildings, to promote dignity, independence and equal participation.
The third poster, bearing a Hausa message, “Duk Wani Mai Bukata ta Musamman Yana da Baiwarsa” (Everyone with a Disability Has Their Own Talent), highlights that every person with a disability possesses unique abilities and potential, and society has a responsibility to create an enabling environment for those talents to be recognised and utilised.
Sarina stressed that the advocacy engagement was also aimed at ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in decision-making, governance, political processes and community development initiatives that directly affect their lives.
In his response, Dr Magashi commended V-PeSDI for its consistent efforts in raising public awareness and promoting the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in societal development.
V-PeSDI also expressed appreciation to the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Kano State on NGO Matters, Hon. Buhari Sule Kura, as well as representatives of NGOs and civil society organisations who participated in the engagement.
Looking ahead, V-PeSDI reaffirmed its commitment to constructively engaging gubernatorial candidates from all political parties in Kano State and other relevant stakeholders by submitting evidence-informed recommendations to their respective development blueprints and policy documents.
The organisation said such engagements will continue to advance the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us” and contribute to building a Kano State where persons with disabilities can participate fully, independently, and equally in all aspects of life.
