NNAD Coordinator Refutes Claims of Exclusion, Says Awe LGA Included in Disability Empowerment Programmes

  

Mr. Abubakar Labaran Musa, NCZ Coordinator, NNAD headquarters 

By Yusuf Muhammad Lawan, Gombe

_Lafia, Nasarawa State – April 12, 2026_

The North Central Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) Mr. Abubakar Labaran has dismissed the recent unfounded claims making rounds on social media circulated by one Usamatu Muhammad, who claimed that Awe Local Government Area was excluded from empowerment programmes executed by the Nasarawa State Disability Rights Commission (NSDRC).

In a statement issued to address the unfounded misinformation, the Coordinator responded to a post by Usamatu Muhammad alleging that Awe LGA was left out of empowerment initiatives under Hon. Saleh Barde Keana, Executive Chairman of NSDRC. “This claim is false and does not reflect the true situation,” the statement said.

According to the NNAD Coordinator, Hon. Saleh Barde Keana has remained fully committed to fairness, inclusion and equal opportunity for all Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) across Nasarawa State. “Under his leadership, all LGAs are consistently carried along in every empowerment, support and intervention programme. Invitations and benefits are always extended through the recognised LGA PWD Chairmen and leadership structures, ensuring transparency and equal representation,” the statement noted.

The Coordinator added that even in the recent distribution of gari and cash support, all cluster chairmen were duly invited and presented with items on behalf of their members across the LGAs. “This further confirms that no area, including Awe LGA, was excluded from the process,” he said.

Awe LGA, like all other LGAs in the state, has benefited from several empowerment initiatives and continues to be part of all ongoing and future programmes of the Commission, the statement affirmed.

The NNAD North Central Zonal Coordinator urged the public to disregard any misleading information suggesting exclusion. “It does not represent the reality of NSDRC operations. The Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to unity, fairness and the continuous upliftment of all PWDs across Nasarawa State.”