As the preparation for the 2023 elections continue to build up, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria are calling for the inclusion of members in political offices as ministers, commissioners and board members of government’s Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
They are also calling for financial inclusion, accessibility, economic development and empowerment of PWDs across the country.
The National leader, All Progressives Congress (APC) PWDs, Hon Tolu Bankole made the call in a statement on Saturday, to commemorate the 2022 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is marked on December 3 every year to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Bankole said “Today, All Progressives Congress commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities to recognize the dignity, achievements, and essential contributions of Nigeria’s over 25 million Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), that have brought laurels in sports, ICT, commerce, academics among others.
“The theme this year is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world“. The theme is a rally cry to invest in Persons With Disabilities which will reduce poverty, promote economic growth and contribute to lasting development of Nigeria.
“With about one in every eight Nigerians living with at least one form of disability. Most common of these disabilities are visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical impairment, intellectual impairment, and communication impairment.
“APC led administration under President Muhammadu Buhari has particularly played an important role in tackling the range of challenges confronting the disabilities community.
“President Buhari has assented to the Persons with Disabilities Bill, and other intervention programmes to alleviate the plight of PWDs in Nigeria. APC been a friend of PWDs have strongly and consistently advocated for the inclusion and improvement of lives of PWDs which led to the free nomination form for all PWDs aspirants in the 2022 APC primaries at all levels.
“As the leader of PWDs, I disbursed grants and empowerment to women and men in different PWDs clusters nationwide to engender financial inclusion. Bursary and scholarships were awarded to PWDs students across the country while I paid for GCE forms of hundreds of SSS 3 students to drive home our call for educational inclusion.
“I organised and self sponsored the first PWDs National summit at NICON Hilton Abuja where far reaching resolutions have been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for prompt actions”.
The PWDs National leader further urged states who are yet to domesticate the PWDs Act 2020, to do so urgently.
He also urged that education and health services be made affordable to PWDs, including scholarship, bursary and insurance policy.
“This year’s International Day of Persons With Disabilities occurs in our build up to the general election. I am pleased to share that the Presidential candidate of our party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will prioritize these concerns of persons with disabilities if elected in 2023 as outlined in his Renewed Hope manifesto.
“Unlocking the full potential of Persons With Disabilities by breaking down the systemic barriers that limit their full participation in society is not only the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do.
“Again, we celebrate all PWDs for their resilience and readiness to excel despite the challenges. No doubt we are people with determination not disability. I urge all PWDs to vote for all APC candidates in the 2023 general elections for inclusive development”, he added.
