NNAD Leadership Among the Participants of the Newly Inaugurated Inter-Ministerial and Inter-Agency Committee on Disability Inclusion

 

by Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, Gombe 

Nov 14th, 2024

Amid growing concern over the absymal inability of significant number of the  Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), both at federal and states level in the country to effectively comply with the stipulations of the National Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, generally referred to as "Disability Law", an  interactive session with top ranking government officials, policy makers, leaders of various organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), community leaders etc was summoned in Abuja to address gray areas fueling the issue at hands and proffers lasting solutions to the problem. 

This is coming through the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa.

The interactive  session which was the first of it's kind,  witnessed the active participation of representatives of different groups and clusters of PWDs including that of the Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) ably graced by the National President of NNAD Mal. Haruna Muhammad Tsafe who was represented by the NNAD's National Vice President Mr. Nelson Chukwuemeka Umezurike 

In an official statement signed by the NNAD's National Vice President and made a copy available to Ability News Network the NNAD's second in command confirmed the physical participation of NNAD in the Inter-Ministerial and Inter-Agency Awareness Summit organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities (OSSAPSEO) in Abuja.

His words, "on behalf of the Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) leadership and entire Deaf Community in Nigeria, I participated in the Inter-Ministerial and Inter-Agency Awareness Summit on the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition)Act, 2018, organized by the Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties and Equal Opportunities, to mark his one year anniversary in office held at the State House Auditorium Presidential Villa,Abuja"

"The summit convened notable government officials, disability rights advocates, and leaders from diverse sectors, all dedicated to promoting the enforcement of the Disability Act and ensuring compliance across multiple Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs)"

He added "this event served as a significant demonstration of solidarity, with leaders committing to uphold standards of accessibility and inclusion. It has emphasized that sanctions would be applied to any agency that fails to meet these established requirements"

Highlighting the importance of NNAD's participation in the all-inclusive summit, the NNAD's top leader further disclosed  the positive vibes on the outcome of the well-attended summit which,  according to him, was aimed at turning words into action to achieve communal objectives for the overall progress and development of Deaf Community in Nigeria and other PWDs clusters. 

He noted "the summit concluded with a heartfelt call to action. Hon. Abba Isa, along with MDAs Representatives, passionately reaffirmed their commitment to the National Disability Act and its vital objectives"

" They expressed a shared resolve to turn intentions into reality, recognizing the urgency of taking meaningful steps for full implementation. This committee, equipped with a clear mandate and the necessary resources, is ready to advocate for the rights, dignity, and opportunities of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria, underscoring the importance of ensuring that every individual is heard and valued" he noted confidentially.

Some of the major takeaways from the interactive session Ability News Network understands, is essentially  to raise awareness about the challenges rocking the PWDs, fosters collaboration between different government agencies, ministries, and organizations, as well as  to address the lingering issue of societal discrimination which persons with disabilities have inadvertently faced with in Nigeria. The summit also aim to serve as a platform for engaging discussions on topical issues pertaining to the development of PWDs, exchange of useful ideas and sharing experiences, Ability News Network reports.