By Lanre Oloyede
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has called on religious and faith-based organisations across Nigeria to make disability inclusion an integral part of their humanitarian, social and community development programmes.
Abba Isa made the call Friday while delivering a goodwill message at the official kick-off and launch of the “Bold Action for Disability Rights and Inclusive Development in North Central Nigeria” project, organised by the Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), in collaboration with CBM and other partners.
The Presidential aide said churches, mosques and other faith-based institutions, given their influence and extensive reach within communities, had a critical role to play in promoting the dignity, acceptance and full participation of Persons with Disabilities.
He stressed that Persons with Disabilities should not be treated merely as beneficiaries of charity or development interventions, but as equal citizens, partners and contributors to national development.
He commended JDPCI, CBM and their partners for initiating the project, describing it as a timely intervention aimed at strengthening disability-inclusive systems and expanding access to opportunities and services in Benue State, the Federal Capital Territory and Plateau State.
The Presidential aide said the initiative was particularly important because of its focus on empowering Persons with Disabilities to participate meaningfully in community development and decision-making.
He reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to disability inclusion, equal opportunities and youth empowerment under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the administration believes that Nigeria’s development must be inclusive and that no citizen should be left behind.
Government cannot do it alone
Abba Isa said the Federal Government could not achieve its disability inclusion objectives without strong partnerships with civil society organisations, development partners, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, faith-based organisations and other stakeholders.
He disclosed that his office had strengthened engagements with Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, while working with disability organisations, civil society groups and development partners to advance inclusion in national development.
Abba Isa seeks structured partnership with JDPCI
Abba Isa also called for a structured partnership between JDPCI, CBM and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities throughout the implementation of the project.
He said the President had given him a clear mandate and “marching order” to create avenues for incorporating disability perspectives and requirements into national development.
He therefore urged the project organisers to involve his office in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the initiative.
“This will enable us to provide technical advice and guidance, strengthen coordination and ensure that the lessons and achievements of the project are properly documented and reported to the Presidency,” he said.
He further requested that his office be invited to inspect and monitor activities under the project in Benue, the FCT and Plateau, saying this would enable government to assess its impact, identify areas requiring support and determine successful interventions that could be strengthened and replicated elsewhere.
Abba Isa also advocated capacity-building for policymakers, duty bearers, directors, ministers and other stakeholders involved in implementing the project to improve compliance with disability inclusion requirements.
North Central PWDs have enormous potential
The Presidential aide said Persons with Disabilities in the North Central region possessed talents, ideas and capabilities capable of contributing significantly to community and national development if provided with the right opportunities.
He assured JDPCI, CBM, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, community leaders and other stakeholders of continued collaboration and support from his office within its mandate.
Among dignitaries at the launch were Dr. Adebukola Adebayo of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities; Executive Director of JDPCI, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Sanni; Dr. Nneka, Chair of the UN Technical Working Group; Damilare Atunwa, representing UNDP; Mr. Umar Dankoro of CBM International; Adaeze, representing the Federal Ministry of Health; the FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Dr. Bashir Dawodu, Chairman, House Committee on Disability; Madam Betty, JONAPWD Women Leader; and Dr. Barr. Theophilus Odaudu of DRF.
