As Nigeria join the rest of the world to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) PWDs, Aare Tolu Bankole is advocating for the best approach to permanently improve the earning abilities of PWDs in Nigeria.
In a statement he personally signed to mark the day on Sunday, Bankole noted that PWDs are the worst hit by extreme poverty compared to persons without disabilities.
While commending the President Bola Tinubu led administration for inclusion of members of the community in the ongoing palliatives and social investment programmes, he stressed the need for a regular income that will permanently reduce hunger and poverty of members of the community in the country.
He said, “APC led administration under our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has particularly played an important role in tackling the range of challenges confronting Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria since assuming office on May 29th this year.
“We have witnessed political inclusion of PWDs at the cabinet level and as Senior Special Assistant. Also, PWDs have been given a deserving voice in the Renewed Hope Social Programmes of President Tinubu’s administration, as we look forward to monthly cash transfers to the poorest, non interest loans to traders, and other economic empowerment programs to alleviate the plight of PWDs in Nigeria.
“The commitment and ceaseless efforts of the first lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to wipe away the tears of vulnerable Nigerians is most appreciated. The feedback from across the country shows that her symphony is hitting the right notes among PWDs.
“The All Progressives Congress, APC led by our result oriented and action packed chairman, H.E. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje PhD is committed to championing the cause of PWDs in Nigeria. Hence, the party will continue to remain the darling of PWDs through strong and consistent advocacy for the inclusion and improvement of lives of PWDs at all levels. Indeed, our amiable National chairman is not joking, but working!
“An African adage that says: “You can’t shave the hair on a man’s head in his absence” further corroborates the focus of this year’s call to actions.
“First of the seventeen goals is zero poverty. According, to UN data, In 2020, the number of people living in extreme poverty (living on less than USD 2.15 a day) rose to 724 million. It is also accurate to say, that people with disabilities are the worst hit. Those living in extreme poverty mostly PWDs will struggle more to fulfill the most basic needs (health, education, access to water and sanitation).
“The second is zero hunger, In 2022, about 9.2 per cent of the world population was facing chronic hunger, equivalent to about 735 million people. 122 million more than in 2019. Hunger and malnutrition are barriers to sustainable development because hungry people are less productive, more prone to disease, and less able to improve their livelihoods.
“While we appreciate the ongoing distribution of palliatives and social inclusion programmes, the best approach to end hunger must be a permanent measure that will improve the earning abilities of Persons With Disabilities as against ad-hoc succour”.
The National Leader APC PWDs also acknowledged the
achievements and essential contributions of the over 30 million PWDs in the country. He described their bravery as inspirational, stressing that with the right environment, they will thrive.
The theme of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is: “United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs for, with and by Persons With Disabilities.”
“The theme is a stake reminder to invest in Persons With Disabilities if the SDGs will ever be achieved”, Bankole stated.
He added that, “The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
“This year’s observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been dedicated to inclusion of PWDs in the 17 SDGs, in the respective countries. Hence, I will attempt to domesticate the broader theme thus: “United in action to rescue and achieve possibilities for, with and by persons with Disabilities in Nigeria.”
According to the United Nations Development Programme; “The 1.3 billion persons with disabilities worldwide are amongst those who are most negatively affected by this limited progress.
“That includes continued exclusion from public goods and services and high levels of discrimination.
“To deliver the Sustainable Development Goals for, with, and by persons with disabilities, disability inclusion must be embedded across every dimension of development, the UNDP submitted”, the statement read.
Hon. Bankole further called on the Federal Government to make a definite statement on the conduct of Census, noting that producing better data on disability inclusion is vital to deliver the greatest impact.
He urged government at all levels, private sector and all well meaning individuals to heed the call of the disability movement: ‘Nothing about us, without us.’
