By Lanre Oloyede
In a significant move towards collective realization of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the disability community, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr Ayuba Burki Gufwan.
The visit, which took place at the Commission’s headquarters, aimed to establish a strategic partnership between the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President and the NCPWD.
Present at the meeting were Chief of Staff to the SSA, Barrister Yusuf Iyodo, Director Media and Communications, Lanre Oloyede, Personal Assistant to the SSA, Aliyu Mohammed Isa, Director, Human resources Management NCPWD, Mrs AA Oguntade, among others.
Hon. Abba Isa, while extending his congratulations, noted that Mr. Ayuba Gufwan’s appointment did not come as a surprise, emphasizing that it was a testament to his long-standing dedication to the cause of persons with disabilities.
The Senior Presidential aide noted that Mr. President has made the right choice, stressing that over the years, Mr. Gufwan has dedicated himself to the disability community, hence his appointment is well-deserved.
Reflecting on their shared history, Hon. Isa recalled saying: “I have known you for over 20 years; we have been in this struggle together. In the last decade, through your Beautiful Gate Foundation, you have distributed over 400 tricycle wheelchairs to PWDs in Yobe State and beyond.”
The SSAP also highlighted Gufwan’s role as a Director in the APC Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 elections, underscoring his commitment to both political and social causes.
“The President desires that all MDAs including the NCPWD realise the Renewed Hope Agenda for PWDs hence his appointment of my humble self in the position of an aide to be his eyes, hands and mouth in order to realise this his desire.
“Upon my appointment, President Tinubu gave me a clear mandate and a marching order to proactively create avenues of opportunity for inclusion of PWDs requirements and perspectives in the policies and programmes of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government and also to work closely with subnational authorities to build a national consensus on PWD friendly policies and environmental conditions in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
“My role basically is to serve as watchdog over all MDAs and parastatals of government including the NCPWD to ensure disability inclusion in their policies, plans and programmes. I am also mandated to work with State governments to ensure formulation and enactment of appropriate legal frameworks for the benefit of people with disabilities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the Presidential aide stated.
The SSAP added that: “Given that we both share a common vision of a Nigeria where every person, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the nation’s development, I assure you that you can expect the maximum support and collaboration from my office as we work together to advance the cause of inclusion, accessibility, and empowerment for Persons With Disabilities.
“For ease of operation, I am proposing the formation of Bilateral Committees to foster cooperation and coordination between both offices for the actualisation of the tasks ahead.
“I look forward to a productive partnership that will not only fulfill the mandates of our respective offices but also leave a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve. Together, we can drive meaningful change and ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda becomes a lived reality for millions of Nigerians with disabilities.”
In his response, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Mr. Ayuba Gufwan expressed deep appreciation for the visit, which he described as more of a “homecoming” than a formal courtesy call.
“You are not a visitor but a member of this family,” he said.
Mr. Gufwan assured Hon. Abba Isa that the Commission is fully committed to working closely with his office to achieve their shared goals.
“This visit means a lot to me and the entire Commission, and I wish to assure you that we will explore all avenues for collaboration to meet our objectives,” he stated.
Gufwan also spoke passionately about the significance of the NCPWD, describing it as a “prayer answered” for many in the disability community.
He said: “There are many PWDs who wished to witness the establishment of this Commission but are no longer with us today. For those of us who are privileged to see it, there is a huge responsibility on our shoulders to deliver,”.
Acknowledging the expectations placed upon the Commission, Gufwan emphasized the importance of data and representation. He noted that the commonly cited figure of 35 million PWDs in Nigeria might be an underestimate, given the vastness of the country.
“Our number is huge—35 million is more than the total population of several West African countries combined. We are a huge nation, and it is crucial that we rise to meet the expectations placed on us.”
Gufwan expressed optimism about the future under the current administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” urging the PWD community to seize opportunities as they arise. “I am delighted that our president has come up with the Renewed Hope Agenda, and I am confident that the PWD community in Nigeria will key into this and have our hopes renewed.”
He concluded by offering a prayer for the nation, asking for God’s continued blessing on Nigeria and for visionary leaders who will prioritize the welfare of the disability community. “May we emerge as the giant of Africa, not only in word but in deed,” he said.
The visit marks the beginning of what both leaders hope will be a fruitful partnership aimed at advancing the cause of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
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