… “We’ll support you 100%”, says NTA DG
… We’ll dedicate a program to PWDs- Ordinary Ahmad Isa
By Lanre Oloyede
As part of efforts to mobilize support towards the success of the Beyond Disability Project, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon Mohammed Abba Isa, has succeeded in securing the endorsement and commitment of Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, and Human Rights Radio and TV (Brekete Family) for the Project.
Using his influence and reputation as one of the best performing presidential aides in the current administration, Hon. Abba Isa, was able to secure the maximum supports from the two major media establishments in the country.
With NTA being the largest television network in Africa and Brekete Family commanding one of the largest audience base in the country, the Beyond Disability Project is sure to enjoy wider coverage and publicity across the length and breadth of Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking while on an advocacy visit to NTA on Thursday, the SSAP stated that the essence of the strategic partnership with the media establishment was to ensure that all Persons With Disabilities who deserve to benefit from the project are reached regardless of their locations.
While acknowledging the leadership role Nigeria has played in leading the way for the rest of Africa in terms of inclusive legislations and accessibility for PWDs, the Senior presidential aide lamented that PWDs in Nigeria still face serious discrimination challenges which needed to be addressed urgently.
While noting that 35.1 million out of the 65 million PWDs in Africa are resident in Nigeria, the SSAP pleaded with leadership of NTA to step up efforts in advocacy and awareness creation on the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 so as to save this huge population from untold hardship due to discrimination.
The SSAP acknowledged NTA’s efforts so far in promoting good governance and disability inclusion, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the presidency.
He then presented the four key areas of partnership being proposed to include: awareness campaigns, a bilateral disability inclusion implementation committee, disability inclusion policy and programs, and promotion of the Beyond Disability Project.
In his response, the Director-General of NTA, Mr Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, who was represented by Mr Namsel Nimyel, the Executive Director, Admin and training, congratulated Hon. Abba Isa and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making the right decision in his appointment of SSA on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities.
The NTA DG described the appointment of Hon. Abba Isa as a square peg in a square hole.
He stated that Hon. Abba Isa has brought a lot of visibilities to the activities and needs of Persons With Disabilities since his assumption of office.
The DG further noted that the SSAP has been very active while he was outside on the field as a comrade and that energy has impacted positively and rubbed off on his performance now that he is in office.
While endorsing the Beyond Disability Project, Mr Dembos pledged full support of NTA to the success of the Project.
He said: “You can count on us for support. We can’t afford to take for granted the needs of Persons With Disabilities. 35.1 million Nigerians is a population that can’t be ignored.
“The PWDs are known to have contributed to national development and have project Nigeria in very positive light. Nigeria has not received as many gold medals from able athletes in international competitions particularly the Olympics as much as we have received from PWDs.
” NTA is fully prepared to key into this project which is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu not to leave anyone behind. We will support you 100%”.
While throwing more lights on the benefits of the Project, the National Coordinator of Beyond Disability Project, Hon. Steve Rodstick, stated that the project is aimed at discovering and harnessing the talents and potentialities of PWDs in the creative industry.
He noted that this project aims to empower over 5000 PWDs through talent development, educational support programs, and inclusive access, in line with the Disability Discrimination Act, 2018.
Hon. Rodstick further stated that PWDs are loaded with enormous potentials and have been looking for opportunities to showcase this potentials and earn a living from them, stressing that the beyond disability project is designed to provide that platform for PWDs to explore their God-given talents to become self-dependent and Self-reliant.
The National Coordinator reiterated that the official launch of the Beyond Disability Project is scheduled for July 22nd, 2024, at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Aso Villa.
Similarly, you will recall that the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon Mohammed Abba Isa, had earlier on Tuesday paid an advocacy visit to Human Rights Radio and TV popularly known as Brekete Family to seek similar partnership and collaboration.
Receiving the SSA and his team, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Brekete Family, Dr. Ahmad Isa (A.K A Ordinary President) declared full support and cooperation for the project.
Dr. Ahmad Isa who was impressed by the presentation made by Hon. Abba Isa, promised to revive and reinstate a program on disability inclusion titled “I dey gallant” which has been rested by the media station.
Ordinary Ahmad also promised to create an online portal where PWDs can instantly report cases of discrimination and it will be escalated to the appropriate quarters to seek redress.
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