19m Nigerians living with disabilities, need support – Experts

Over 19 million Nigerians live with disabilities and stakeholders are calling for more support for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) They made the call during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWDs), with the theme: “Inclusion Matters: Access and Empowerment for People of All Abilities”, organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social […]

Over 19 million Nigerians live with disabilities and stakeholders are calling for more support for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
They made the call during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWDs), with the theme: “Inclusion Matters: Access and Empowerment for People of All Abilities”, organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWASD) recently in Abuja.
Represented by the Director of Rehabilitation, FMWASD, Mrs. Victoria Akintaro, the Minister, FMWASD, Senator Jummai Alhassan, said the consequences of being disabled have remained one of the major challenges that had continually threatened human existence.
She said the IDPWDs were aimed at encouraging and promoting activities that will ensure empowerment of PWDs in the society.
While explaining the need for the empowerment, Senator Alhassan reiterated the ministry’s effort towards passing into law the ‘Nigerian Disability Bill’.
“Nigeria has about 19 million persons living with one form of disability or the other. Therefore disability issues are far too important to be ignored,” said the Permanent Secretary, FMWASD, Mrs Binta Bello, who was represented by the Director, Social Welfare Department, FMWASD, Mrs. Jummai Mohammed.
She said the population of PWDs was large enough to attract attention and consideration in policy formulation and implementation.
Mrs. Bello called on stakeholders and private organizations to key into the plan of action the FMWASD has on disability issues.
Also, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, said the ministry was looking into the employment problems faced by PWDs, stressing that there is need to reduce the unemployment rate among them.
In his paper he presented, the president, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWDs), Mr. Ekaete Umoh, called on the legislature to sign the Disability Bill into law to enable them enjoy equal opportunities with others.