By NAN
Some stakeholders and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have called for a special trust fund to support efforts aimed at ensuring inclusion and promoting disability rights across Nigeria.
They made the call during a roundtable on “Advancing Disability Rights, Promoting Inclusion and Ensuring Accountability,” in Abuja on Friday to discuss PWD-related policies and gaps in implementation.
The roundtable was organised by Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), a Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja agency, under its BASICC project, sponsored by Christian Blind Mission International (CBM).
Stakeholders also demanded full implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, to ensure fair treatment, accessibility, and opportunities for all PWDs in society.
During a panel session led by JDPCI Programmes Director Mr Timothy Ejeh, participants recommended inclusive implementation processes and sustained empowerment and sensitisation programmes tailored specifically for persons with disabilities.
Mr Haruna Dauda, IT Officer at School of the Gifted, Gwagwalada, stated that effective enforcement of the Act would resolve numerous challenges experienced daily by persons with disabilities nationwide.
He proposed a toll-free hotline dedicated to reporting discrimination cases involving PWDs, to allow for swift intervention and justice when rights were violated or ignored.
Dauda further recommended a national database of PWDs to enhance coordination of empowerment programmes, access to opportunities, and support services tailored to their individual needs.
Mrs Eunice Edochie, Women Leader of Ward Development Committee, stressed that stigma against PWDs remained a significant societal issue needing urgent and persistent attention across all sectors.
She criticised the slow implementation of the Act and insisted on accountability mechanisms to ensure people and institutions were held responsible for inaction or negligence toward PWDs.
Edochie called for consistent monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track the progress of PWD-targeted programmes, thereby ensuring effectiveness, transparency, and impactful service delivery.
Mrs Madu Oluchukwu, a teacher at Government Secondary School, Hajj-Camp, highlighted the need for more awareness campaigns to tackle negative perceptions and encourage parental support for children with disabilities.
She noted that some parents viewed disabled children as burdens and failed to provide emotional or material support, denying them access to basic rights and lifelong opportunities.
Oluchukwu encouraged synergy among stakeholders to ensure PWDs enjoyed access to education, jobs, infrastructure, and political spaces, in line with provisions in the 2018 Discrimination Act.
Mr Joseph Ogwuche, Secretary of Catholic Men Organisation (CMO), St. Paul Parish, Gwagwalada, suggested creating sector-specific indicators to measure implementation and impact of the Disability Act effectively.
“In aviation, how many airlines use dignified lifters? In education, how many PWDs study professional courses? How many public buildings provide access for persons with disabilities?” Ogwuche asked.
Earlier, Chief Haliru Auta, President of Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Gwagwalada branch, hailed JDPCI for the positive impact of the BASICC project on PWDs.
Representing traditional leaders, Auta shared that many PWDs had become self-reliant through skill training and grants provided by the BASICC initiative, urging for the project’s continuation.
Ms. Palang Moses, BASICC Project Officer, said the three-year initiative, which began in 2023, aimed to improve access to healthcare and socio-economic support for PWDs using the CBID model.
She said the project had raised awareness about disability rights, gender-based violence, and social inclusion through regular community campaigns held every quarter since the initiative began.
Moses added that volunteers had been trained on psychosocial support and gender-based violence case handling, while also strengthening local response capacity within vulnerable communities.
She noted that 24 individuals received business training and startup kits, boosting livelihoods, while 36 PWDs got assistive devices with another 37 set to receive support soon.
According to Moses, 100 vulnerable persons now enjoy health coverage under the state insurance scheme; also, 2,000 menstrual hygiene kits were distributed to girls and women.
She also announced a first-of-its-kind sign language training for religious leaders in Nigeria, aimed at promoting inclusive worship and enhancing PWD participation in religious activities.
“All of these achievements were made possible through generous funding from CBM International and the dedication of stakeholders present,” she added.
In his opening remarks, JDPCI Executive Director Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni said inclusion was justice, not charity, and that accountability was key to achieve meaningful, lasting progress for PWDs.
Represented by Programmes Director Mr Timothy Ejeh, Sanni said the roundtable aimed to bridge policy and practice, ensuring PWD voices influenced decisions impacting their lives.(NAN)