By Mike Oboh
Nigeria’s government has been charged to ensure certain percentage of employment is allocated to people with disability in the three tiers of governance just as the People living with disability were advised to develop their mental strength for growth.
A don from the University of Lagos, Professor Douglas Anele made the calls at the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and The Albino Foundation dialogue session on disability inclusion in Nigeria held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Prof Anele said with about 15 percent of the world population having one form of disability or another, it was imperative that the Nigeria government open up the space for People living with disability to be involved inclusively in all all areas of human endeavors.
“The era of laughing or ignoring people living with disability is gone with the wind, hence they must be involved in all matters of human endeavors, we know of the challenges which had in the past affected the laying of a strong foundation for their inclusiveness, so is time we take the matter seriously by ensuring they get the place in the scheme of things” Anele said.
He said though there are major obstacles beclouding PWDs in the country but they should be mentally prepared to take the challenge for their strength aimed at developing their potentials for growth.
“PWDs should not frown at the world but develop mental strength for growth and education,” he said.
Anele said that efforts should be geared towards enhancing advocacy which is key to the involvement of PWDs, removal of social cultural impediment and emphasis placed on education for them.Also speaking, Dr Adebayo Adebukola of Human and Organisational Resource Development Centre, Lagos said civil societies have left the position for the involvement of PWDs inclusively in all matters for too long hence they have now agreed to service the relationship between the two bodies to resolve the issue.for the inclusiveness of the PWDs in all matters.
Speaking earlier, Situation Room convener Mrs Esther Uzoma was committed to open the space in the commitment of every everyone in the civil space to promote the inclusive governance, lending the strength and ensure Nigeria work for everyone.
Uzoma said the civil space was under heavy treat hence the need for collective effort for the inclusiveness of the PWDs in all endeavors.
On his part, the president of the Albino foundation and convened of Disability Inclusion Nigeria, Mr Jake Epelle said it was a welcome development that the story of the PWDs is been considered for inclusion in the general development in the country.
He said though there are some challenges, the decision to look forward for the inclusion of the PWDs in the country was a big high for all involved.
