By EMMANUEL ANKELI, Sokoto –
The Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD) has commenced a two-day workshop in Sokoto State, aimed at fostering discussions around discrimination against persons with disabilities.
The workshop, themed “Disability Inclusion: Strengthening Accountability and Impact in Nigeria,” seeks to promote policy dialogue on strengthening accountability frameworks for the Discrimination Against Persons With Disability (Prohibition) Act in Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, Sokoto State Chairman of JONAPWD, Muazu Habibu, expressed gratitude to the Sokoto State Government for adopting the Discrimination Against Persons With Disability law in 2021.
However, he urged the state government to ensure full implementation of the law, particularly the 5% employment opportunity for persons with disabilities.
On his part, the Zonal Coordinator of JONAPWD, Muhammed Usman, urged all and sundry to see ability in disability and treat them with dignity and respect.
While appreciating Sokoto State Government for its continued assistance to PWD, JONAPWD National President, Abdullahi Usman, said they should be giving opportunities to contribute their own quota to national development.
Abdullahi further appealed for creation of more friendly environment that could bring out their potentials.
Making presentation on “”Disability Inclusion: Strengthening Accountability and Impact in Nigeria”, the Legal/Programme Officer of JONAPWD, Winnie Ishaku admonished all and sundry to treat people with disability with utmost respect.
Winnie who pointed out that Nigeria has very beautiful laws and policies, however decried that implantation has always renamed the greatest challenge.
She therefore appealed for adequate inclusion of PWD, saying if empowered, they would not only be self reliant but also contribute positively to national development.
On their parts, some of the PWD participants at the workshop expressed concerns over how they are being mocked in the society, saying, some sees nothing good in them.
PWDs in Sokoto at the 2 day workshop also appealed to Sokoto State Government to assist them on the basis of empathy and not sympathy. They also urged the state government to strictly monitor the disbursement of the ten thousand naira monthly stipend to their members.
