The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has assured of his administration’s continued commitment to strengthen engagement mechanisms to foster the inclusion of persons with Disabilities in policy –making processes at all levels.
Declaring open the first Abia State Disability Day/Interactive session organized by the joint National Association of persons with Disabilities, Abia State chapter in collaboration with office of the special Assistant to the Governor on persons with Disabilities and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development held at the Women Development Center, Ogurube Layout Umuahia, Gov. Otti represented by his Deputy, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, explained that the implementation of the Disabilities law is not the responsibility of the government alone.
The governor who appreciated the event’s theme: Accelerating actions to enhance access and participation of people with Disabilities in governance, commended members of the Association for their exertions towards advocating for responsive policies and laws as well as ending practices that prevent persons with Disabilities from being considered citizens with equal rights and privileges.
The governor also urged the private sector, traditional institutions to join hands with government for the implemention of the disability law.
Gov. Otti reaffirmed that the rights and privileges of persons with Disabilities are paramount to the present administration which is evident in the coronation of an auditory impaired person as the traditional ruler of Umuawa Alaocha11, Autonomous community Ohuhu
He assured of continued adherence to all the provisions of the Disability law to improve the welfare of the persons with Disabilities in the state.
In his address, the commissioner for sports,Mr Nwaobilor Ananaba who stated that there is ability in disability, adding that the ministry plans to empower Abia Youths including persons with Disabilities to make them proffessionals in various careers.
Also speaking, the special Adviser to the Governor on persons with disability Mr David Anyaele said the event which is the first of its kind in the state will afford the members the opportunity to share their ideas with the Governor revealing that the association has benefited a lot since the inception of the present administration.
In his address the chairman joint national association of persons with disabilities Mr Wisdom Okechukwu Kalu expressed his appreciation to the governor for his support to the association and assured continued support to government.
Mr Kalu said the JONAPWD is umbrella body of all disability groups which includes persons with physical Disabilities, Association of the blinds, Association of the deaf, Spinalncord injured person’s, leprosy affected persons, persons with Albinism and the intellectuals.
He enumerated some of their challenges to include lack of state disability commission,mobility, unemployment, lack of scholarship, skill acquisition among others
