By Lanre Oloyede
In a unique show of love and honour, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa and his entire members of staff were on hand on Tuesday to receive and specially welcome the newly appointed Executive Secretary of National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, NCPWD, Barr. Ayuba Burki Gufwan who was on familiarization visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The team led by the SSAP himself, Hon. Abba Isa included his Chief of Staff, Barr Yusuf Iyodo, Director Administration, Mr Felix Okoli, Director Media and Communications, Lanre Oloyede, Personal Assistant to the SSA, Isa Aliyu, Director Social Welfare Services, Zubairu Saidu, National Coordinator of Beyond Disability Project, Hon. Rodstick Stephen, Founder of Queen Irene Onwuka Peace foundation, Queen Irene Onwuka and other notable partners of the office.
The visit is the first by Mr Gufwan since his appointment was announced on August 6, 2024 in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity while announcing President Tinubu’s appointment of new heads of agencies and programmes under the federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
Hon. Abba Isa, who noted that the appointment of Barr Gufwan by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Executive Secretary is a good development to the disability community and a testament of the arrival of renewed hope for the PWDs in Nigeria, maintained that the incoming E.S deserves such honour and reception.
The Senior presidential aide stressed that his office is ready to work with the new helmsman at the Commission and give him the necessary support required to advance the cause of PWDs in Nigeria and to realize the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
Speaking in his address, the incoming Executive Secretary, Mr. Ayuba Gufwan expressed deep appreciation for the SSAP and his team for the show of love and also commended the incumbent Executive Secretary, Dr. James for his leadership and dedication demonstrated while he held sway as the Commission’s boss.
While acknowledging the challenges of being the pioneer leader of an organization like the NCPWD, Mr. Gufwan commended Dr. Lalu for laying a solid foundation, breaking new ground and restoring hope in the lives of persons with disabilities.
He noted that Dr. Lalu has changed the narrative, making significant strides in ensuring that the rights of persons with disabilities are respected and enforced.
Mr. Gufwan pledged to build on the solid foundation laid by Dr. Lalu, continuing the Commission’s mission to empower and uplift persons with disabilities across Nigeria. He expressed his readiness to collaborate with stakeholders and further advance the progress made under Dr. Lalu’s exemplary leadership.
Also speaking, the host and incumbent Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Dr. James David Lalu extended a heartfelt welcome to Mr. Gufwan and provided a brief history of the Commission’s development under his leadership.
He recounted the humble beginnings of the NCPWD, starting from a borrowed small office with staff working under a tree, and expressed gratitude to former President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing the Commission and entrusting him with its pioneering leadership. Dr. Lalu also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fostering an inclusive government and signing the African Union Disability Protocol, highlighting his commitment to the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
Dr. Lalu lauded former president Muhammadu Buhari for assenting the National Disability Bill and establishing the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, NCPWD.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to well-being and welfare the disability community in Nigeria through numerous policy initiatives of his administration and for appointing Hon. Abba Isa as his Senior Special Assistant on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities.
The incumbent E.S also commended Directors and Staff of the Commission who stood by him from the beginning when the Commission kicked off with no accommodation and budget.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Lalu emphasized the transformative strides made by the NCPWD over the past four years.
He stressed that under his leadership, the Commission has achieved significant milestones, including the implementation of comprehensive policies to enhance accessibility, empowerment programs for persons with disabilities, and robust advocacy for their rights.
The official handing over ceremony is scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2024.
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