National News
Stakeholders Call for Immediate Implementation of the National Disability Act
Stakeholders Call for Immediate Implementation of the National Disability Act
By: Michael Mike
Stakeholders have advocated for the immediately implementation of Discrimination Against Persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2019 popularly called The National Disability Act.
The stakeholders who were at a two-day National Co-creations Stakeholders Convening in Abuja with a convergence of an array of stakeholders including Senior Special Assistants to governors on Disability related matters from different states in the Federation, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-government Organisation (NGO) community representatives, implementing partners, Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) hosted by Centre for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE) in collaboration with Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Community of Practice with the theme: “The National Disability Act post moratorium: Advancing Inclusion and accessibility for those vulnerable and outside the margin”, also called for the review and amendment of some sections of the act to conform with
emerging realities.
The stakeholders recalled that Discrimination Against Persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2019 popularly called The National Disability Act was passed by the National Assembly and signed into an Act by President Muhammadu Buhari after almost 19 years of engagements with the National Assembly, adding that the Act with 10 parts seeks to protect the rights and ensure adequate inclusion of persons with disabilities in line with the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), but that however “after 5 years of its existence, the implementation of the act had been considered to be at a snail-pace with several rights holders calling
for speedy actions while some sections require review/amendment to conform with
emerging realities.”
The communique read that: “The convening aimed to discuss advancing Inclusion and accessibility for those vulnerable and outside the margin post-moratorium of the Disability Act. With the recent elapsed moratorium period of the Act, on January 24th, 2024, it is imperative to come together to discuss the domestication and implementation stages at National and State levels and strategize the next steps to ensure that the Act not only continue
to protect Persons with Disabilities, but also advance the Inclusion and accessibility
for those who are most vulnerable and marginalised in our society.
The convening served as a convergence point, bringing together an array of
stakeholders including Senior Special Assistants to governors on Disability related
matters from different states in the Federation, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs),
Non-government Organisation (NGO) community representatives, implementing
partners, Ministries, Departments & Agencies.
The stakeholders identify gaps and challenges in mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities, particularly in budget allocation, appointments and modalities for implementation of penalties, sensitize and increase awareness among duty bearers and right-holders about the National Disability Act, 2019.
Stakeholders acknowledged several challenges faced after the
passage of the Disability Act at the National, State and local level, recognising that Part 1 of the National Disability Act used the term integration and not
Inclusion and this further increases the gap to ensure full Inclusion, as integration means bringing people together without providing reasonable accommodation as it relates to their diversity, while Inclusion does both.
They also recognize that some states have domesticated the Disability Law and established disability commission but, implementation is still very weak, while other states have neither domesticated nor even passed or drafted bill, disclosing that states that have domesticated and implemented the Disability Act include: Anambra, Lagos,
Ekiti, Rivers, Bauchi, Nassarawa, Abia, Delta. Kwara, Kaduna, Kano, kogi, Edo,
Adamawa, Plateau, Jigawa, and Ondo.
They said: “Though these states have domesticated the Act, the level of implementation varies. While the remaining states have not domesticated the Act.
“Minimum accessibility standard/regulation is yet to be a legal document. Tokenism is still an issue plaguing the full implementation of the Disability Act
as a lot of duty bearers have not fully adopted the human rights approach.
“Leaders who represent disability groups in meetings do not disseminate
information to other persons with disabilities and this leads to information gap. Victimization of persons with disabilities by political appointees who are also
persons with disabilities. Continuous discrimination of Persons with Disabilities in accessing Inclusive airline services and other forms of basic services.
“Little or no budget allocation for persons with Disabilities at all levels.”
Having acknowledged the gaps and challenges in the domestication and full
implementation of the National Disability Act 2019 through robust discussion, the
participants resolved: “To advocate for the removal of the word ‘’Integration’’ as enshrined in part one of the National Disability Act and rather replace with
‘’Inclusion’’ as this is more robust and tends to close the gap to provide a culture of diversity, equity and sense of belonging not contained in the National Disability Act.
“To work together, collaborate more to ensure the full Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities at all levels. To organise Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) members and ensure to meet with the Governor and or the
chief of Staff of Kwara State.
“To engage Commissioners in charge of Disability matters. To intensify advocacy efforts on the establishment of Disability
Commission through the use of radio and other media. To replicate this event in Anambra State to examine and evaluate the
implementation of the Act in collaboration with Anambra State Disability Commission.
“To bridge the communication gap between Persons with Disabilities and
Persons without Disabilities through the use of technology.
“To replicate same programme in Imo State to strengthen the capacity of
JONAPWD Executives and members in the state, increase advocacy to
ensure the passage of the disability law and establishment of the
disability commission in Imo State.
“To liaise with relevant stakeholders (Government and Private sector,
JONAPWD leadership, State commission for PWD, SA to governors etc) to strengthen collaboration in increasing advocacy for the
implementation and compliance to the state disability law.
“To replicate same programmes in other States to strengthen the capacity
of Disability groups and members in the state, increase advocacy to
ensure the domestication of the disability law, it’s full implementations
and to ensure the establishment of the disability commission at all state
levels.”
Stakeholders Call for Immediate Implementation of the National Disability Act
National News
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
By: Bodunrin Kayode
President Bola Tinubu will today visit the Plateau state capital Jos to commiserate with residents who lost loved ones during the Palm Sunday shooting spree by criminals that took place at Angwa rukuba area of the city.
The President who was scheduled to visit Ogun state postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, meant to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.
From the Plateau, the President is expected to travel to Lagos to observe Good Friday public holiday which ushers the beginning of the Easter public holiday which rounds up the lent period.
A state house release signed yesterday by the Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu will travel to Ogun State for the commissioning of the Cargo Airport and the inauguration of two commercial aircrafts for the export and import of goods, aimed at boosting the state’s economic growth on Saturday April 4th.
“He will also inaugurate the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service and its operational vehicles.
“He will return to Lagos to continue the Easter holiday, during which he is also expected to commission infrastructural projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“These projects include: the iconic Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge; the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building; the Multi-Agency Complex named after the President, and a school Complex.
“Before returning to Abuja, President Tinubu will visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to commission some of Governor Duoye Diri’s completed projects.” Said the release.
Sadly several residents lost their lives during the black Palm Sunday shooting spree which is suspected to have been carried out by auto bike riding bandits following after their patterns in the hinterlands of the state.
These bandits who had tormented, killed and destroyed homes of residences of the Jos north axis of the state for several years after September 7th 2001
This damnation let loose on innocent residents is resurfacing after hundreds of killings had occurred in the Jos North council area of the state from September 7th 2001 till date.
And because of the myriad of challenges creeping into the federal security system sub regionals have geared up to manage their on police and Intel services which would assist greatly because they are masters of their territories.
The Federal government is fast tracking the process of state police to ensure that each sub nationals take charge of their environment to ensure that they support the center in the maintenance of internal security.
President Tinubu Storms Jos Today To Commiserate With Residents Of Angwa Rukuba Massacre
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has said that in 2026, the length of the rainy season in Gombe State is expected to be between 107 and 138 days.
This is contained in the Agency’s 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document, which Gayus Musa, the meteorological manager for Gombe State, made available to Our Correspondent in Gombe on Tuesday.
The total amount of rainfall across Gombe State in 2026 is predicted to be between 701 mm in the northern part of the state (Nafada) and 1089 mm in the South (Shongom).
The onset of the rainfall is expected to commence in the state on May 29 (Shongom) and cease by October 22 (Yamaltu/Deba).
Similarly, in the prediction, four local government areas of the state, namely: Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba, Dukku and Funakaye were likely to be impacted by a severe dry spell (21 days and above) between June and August.
Musa while speaking to Our Correspondent on the first rainfall experienced in some communities in Akko, Gombe and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state on Monday urged farmers to resist the temptation of early planting of crops.
He described the first rain as false onset, explaining that the rainfall was false because it would not support any germination as seeds planted with such rain would not survive.
“This (first rain) is a false onset because the precipitation cannot carry any germination and so any seed planted would not survive.
“So farmers should not engage themselves in planting but to prepare their farmlands while getting their seeds and other inputs ready,” he said.
Musa advised farmers in the state, to make use of the prediction in carrying out farming activities towards avoiding losses in view of the impact of climate change on agriculture.
He further urged relevant authorities in the state to take proactive measures towards tackling environmental issues associated with the rainy season.
NiMet predicts 107 to 138 days of rainfall in Gombe
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
By: Michael Mike
The rumoured interest of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar in becoming the governor of Bauchi State come 2027 may have been confirmed he resigned on Monday to prepared ground for actualization of his political ambition.
The resignation was ahead of the deadline set for political appointees seeking elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.
In a resignation letter submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tuggar expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve the country and contribute to the implementation of the administration’s Four-D foreign policy strategy.
The former minister also appreciated the management and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure.
During his time in office, Tuggar was credited with advancing Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives through initiatives focused on people-centred diplomacy. These included humanitarian evacuations, facilitation of scholarships for Nigerians abroad, and sustained support for citizens in the diaspora.
His tenure also witnessed increased diaspora engagement, including efforts to develop a structured database of Nigerians living abroad aimed at strengthening their participation in national development.
In addition, Tuggar strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations through strategic engagements with traditional partners and regional alliances, particularly across the Global South. His leadership also promoted regional security cooperation and supported the formation of the Regional Partnership for Democracy initiative.
He also prioritised economic diplomacy, positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign investment, especially in the energy sector, while facilitating diplomatic interventions that secured the release of detained Nigerians in foreign countries and improved bilateral relations.
The resignation letter was received on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by Dr. Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, ahead of the March thirty-first deadline directed by President Tinubu in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Tuggar’s resignation was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir.
Tuggar Resigns from Tinubu’s Cabinet, Sets for Bauchi Governorship
Troops arrest suspected terrorist, recover rifle in Zamfara
Troops recover suspected rustled cattle in Plateau
Troops neutralise kidnapper, rescue victim in Enugu
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