By Lanre Oloyede
In commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has advocated for unity and collaboration among stakeholders in the disability community to foster an inclusive and sustainable future.
Speaking at an awareness rally held in Abuja on Monday, Hon. Abba Isa emphasized the importance of solidarity in addressing the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The rally, which was organized by the office of the SSA to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities in partnership with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) as part of activities commemorating the 2024 IDPD, kicked off from Eagle Square and terminated at the Unity Fountain.
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Recounting his personal experience, the SSAP shared how a life-changing motor accident confined him to a wheelchair. “I was fully fit and walking before the accident that left me with a disability,” he said, highlighting the reality that disability can affect anyone at any time. Despite this setback, he noted that determination and rigorous rehabilitation enabled him to achieve his life goals, defying the odds.
“I urge all stakeholders and the community of PWDs to unite and work together. Together, we can achieve an inclusive and sustainable future for all,” he added.
Groundbreaking Initiatives for Disability Inclusion
Hon. Abba Isa detailed some of the landmark initiatives undertaken by his office in the past year, including the *Beyond Disability Project*. The initiative, designed to empower over 5,000 PWDs by identifying their talents and nurturing them, has the potential to create 36,551 job opportunities across Nigeria’s 36 states.
“To ensure grassroots participation, governors have been tasked with nominating state coordinators to establish project structures down to the ward level. Seventeen governors have so far complied, and we await responses from the remaining states,” he noted.
The SSAP emphasized the importance of reaching PWDs in rural areas, where access to basic amenities and services remains a significant challenge. He highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for the decentralization of disability initiatives to ensure no one is left behind.
Strengthening Disability Laws
The rally also served as an avenue to discuss the progress in implementing the National Disability Act. Hon. Abba Isa announced the establishment of a Presidential Task Force to drive the act’s full implementation. In collaboration with the NCPWD and other stakeholders, this task force will oversee compliance at all levels.
Further, his office has inaugurated the Association of Accessibility Professionals to enhance the enforcement of accessibility standards, a critical component of the National Disability Act.
“We are now in the post-moratorium phase, as the five-year window for compliance has expired. My office is committed to ensuring the full implementation of the act,” Hon. Abba Isa stated.
Partnering for Progress
The SSAP extended his appreciation to development partners, particularly the Queen Adenike Tejuosho Foundation, for their support in advancing disability inclusion. He also highlighted the success of the Disability Inclusion Governors Connect Program, which fosters partnerships with state governments to ensure adherence to disability requirements and implementation of inclusive policies.
Hon. Abba Isa reiterated his commitment to creating a Nigeria where every person, regardless of ability, can thrive. “Disability inclusion is not just a policy but a necessity for national development,” he said.
The rally underscored the government’s and stakeholders’ collective resolve to empower PWDs and ensure their full integration into society, marking a significant step toward achieving an inclusive Nigeria.
