Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for championing the interests of People Living with Disabilities (PWD) in Nigeria.
Farouq gave the commendation during her keynote address at the grand finale of events marking the 2020 International Day of PWDs (IDPWDs) on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme for 2020 celebration was: “Building Back Better: Toward a Disability-inclusive, Accessible and Sustainable post-COVID-19 World”.
Farouq said: “President Buhari should be commended for championing the interests of PWDs, especially by assenting to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act after almost 18 years of long struggle.
“This Act provides for the full integration of PWDs into the society and creation of National Commission for PWDs that will be vested with the responsibilities for their education, health, social, economic and civil rights.
“These will help in no small measure in promoting their participation in all aspects of life and aspiring to leadership and decision-making positions,” she said
She stated that processes for the implementation of some of the provisions of the Act had already begun in earnest.
Farouk said that the President has already appointed the Executive Secretary and other members of the National Commission for PWDs some few months ago to address the issues affecting them in Nigeria.
“I remember vividly on this day last year, I promised that before this year’s celebration of the IDPWDs, I would ensure that the Commission for PWDs is established and the Board Members appointed, of which it has been done.
“Therefore, I implore the PWDs and Nigerians in general to help me thank Mr President for this great gesture he has shown,” Farouq said.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said that the Ministry of Education had started developing programmes to accommodate PWDs in schools across the federation.
“We are committed to the goals of the Federal Government towards providing a conducive environment for all persons to thrive, especially the PWDs.
In fact, the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities was established just within a year of the minister’s assumption of office. We are grateful to her for the rare achievement,” Nwajiuba said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that stakeholders in the humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development sectors attended the event. (NAN)