… Says President Tinubu’s govt remains committed to welfare of PWDs
… To launch Presidential Economic Initiative on Palliative for PWDs soon
By Lanre Oloyede
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has appealed to members of the disability community to remain calm and hopeful on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration despite the economic hardship in the country.
Hon. Abba Isa, who stated this Tuesday at the Persons With Disabilities Stakeholders Consultative Meeting held in Abuja, noted that the government of President Tinubu is aware of their concerns and it’s determined to address them.
The presidential aide assured that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu is on course and it is certain to yield positive benefits in the long term.
“I urge you to remain calm and patient during these trying times. While the road may seem tough now, I assure you that brighter days are ahead.
“However, I must tell you that the government of the day remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the standard of living for all citizens, particularly for Persons With Disabilities, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is on course and working. I have strong belief that the policies and initiatives put in place by this government are aimed at yielding positive results in the long run. Your cooperation and support are invaluable as we navigate through these challenges together.
“I implore you not to resort to protests or join anybody or group to demonstrate against the government. Instead, I urge you to trust in the government’s intentions and efforts to alleviate your hardship,” Hon. Abba Isa stated.
The SSAP announced that the government is actively working on providing palliatives to cushion the effects of the economic downturn.
He said: “The office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities will handle the distribution of these palliatives to deserving beneficiaries, including members of the disability community as soon as they are released.
“To ensure an efficient and effective distribution process, I urge the heads of the different disability clusters here present to collaborate with us by collating a comprehensive database of their members who will benefit from these palliatives. Your cooperation in this regard will greatly facilitate the smooth implementation of the program.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Employment, CARE, Dr Chike Okogwu thanked President Tinubu for appointing Hon. Abba Isa who, according to him, is the perfect man for the job.
Dr. Okogwu challenged Persons With Disabilities not to allow any challenges facing them let them down, but rise up to the challenges and bring out the best in them.
“Government alone cannot do everything for us, government will do it’s part, but you also have to do your part. It is when these two meet, that happiness becomes our gain.
In asking for more, the CARE Executive Director urged Mr President to remember the PWD community in the area of financial inclusion, accessible healthcare and employment opportunities.
Dr. Okogwu, challenged the government to meet the 5 percent statutory quota for PWDs by the National Disability Act by engaging members of the community to engender inclusiveness of all Nigerians irrespective of their status in the society.
Also speaking, Chairman of Joint National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities, Comrade Chris Agbo, urged the government to prioritize the PWDs in any of their intervention programs to ameliorate their sufferings.
In his goodwill message, the President of Nigerian Association of the Blind, NAB, Mr Stanley Onyebuchi pleaded with government agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing the National Disability law to do a thorough job in ensuring its full implementation so as to address the discrimination that PWDs are facing across the country.
On her part, the Woman Leader of JONAPWD FCT Chapter, Mrs Betty Mube urged PWDs including women to engage in full political participation, stressing that that was the only way they could be in position to effect changes that directly affect the community like Hon. Abba Isa is currently doing.
Representative of Chairman Albinism Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Mrs Constance in her goodwill message appreciated the SSAP for putting the program together, noting that this is one kind of a meeting that we’ve never had before.
She said: “I want to thank the SSAP for being very proactive and inclusive of Persons With Disabilities. This is a commendable efforts trying to build trust, synergy partnership and collaboration at all levels of PWDs and I commend him because like the mantra says, leave no one behind he has left no one behind, from top to bottom approach.
“This is one of a kind meeting. SSAP, we are very glad and we are committed to working with you, to working with your office to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President is met.
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