Connect with us

News

Nigeria calls for establishment of ECOWAS agency for disability Affairs

Published

on

Nigeria calls for establishment of ECOWAS agency for disability Affairs
…To Seal Offices Not Accessible to Persons With Disability

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria government has called for the establishment of the ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs (EADA)

This, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Abel Enitan said would ensure an all-inclusive region, where persons with disabilities in member states are not left

Enitan said this would add to help in the integration of all regional policies and strategies on disabilities.

The Permanent Secretary said this on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of a-two day maiden edition of meeting of ministers in charge of disability inclusion in West Africa. The meeting is meant to adopt the region’s action plan for the inclusion of disabilities.

He advises member states that are yet to ratify the relevant disability instruments to do so quickly.

He said: “In order to make an all-inclusive region for persons with disabilities in member states, Nigeria is calling for the establishment of the “ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs” EADA to integrate regional disability policies and strategies for rehabilitation and equal opportunity in the community, as well as provide a mechanism to protect, promote, support, and respect the actions of people with disabilities.

“This affirmative action must be viewed through the prism of human diversity, while ensuring that individuals with disabilities have as many opportunities as possible to participate in all levels of decision making in ECOWAS, in the spirit of “Nothing about us without us,” so that no one falls behind.”

The Permanent Secretary also stressed the importance of disability inclusion, which he said “remains a critical issue in the region, with millions of individuals experiencing barriers to empowerment initiatives and social protection, among others.”

He challenged the ECOWAS Commission to employ people with disability “as part of the Commission’s effort to prioritise inclusion.

He added that based on human right, “disability is a part of human diversity that must be respected and supported in all its forms, people with disability have the same right as everyone else in society.”

Speaking on what Nigeria has done to ensure inclusion, Enitan said Nigeria ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of people with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2007 and passed the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018 and subsequently approved the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, with the mandate to coordinate and implement activities that ensure the inclusion of persons with Disabilities into society in areas such as education, healthcare, employment, civil rights, and related matters, as outlined in the Act.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof Fatou Sow Sarr, on her part, stressed the vulnerability of people living with disabilities.

Sarr said the regional body has intensified efforts and is working with various bodies to initiate programmes to provide palliatives.

She also revealed that the Commission was currently implementing a pilot project in Togo and Nigeria which will provide assisting devices to children with disabilities.

This programme, she said, is expected to cover other member states in the future.

Meanwhile, public offices not accessible to people living with disabilities will be sealed, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special needs and equal opportunities, Mohammed Abba-Isa, has said.

Abba-Isa said that President Bola Tinubu is expected to launch the presidential Committee for accessibility this third quarter.

The Committee, according to him, has been saddled with the responsibility of implementing the country’s disability Act.

Abba-Isa said Ministries, Departments and Agencies that fails to restructure to accommodate easy accessibility for people with disability will be sealed as part of the implementation policy of disabikity inclusion.

The presidential aide noted that the grace period given to the offices had expired.

He spoke in Abuja at the opening of a two day maiden edition of meeting of ministers in charge of disability inclusion in West Africa. The meeting is meant to adopt the region’s action plan for the inclusion of disabilities.

He said, “Mr. President has mandated my office to make sure I implement the regional action plan.

“We are going to launch accessibility committee. We are going to engage with all the MDAs.

“We are going to launch a presidential taskfoce all because if you look at the moratorium or grace period given to all these buildings to modify or adjust has passed, the five years moratorium period.

“ So we are now in the implementation stage and Mr President has given us the mandate.

“ All these offices that did not comply we are going to seal them because we are at the implemetation stage. “

He stressed that Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

So we are liaising with the Ministry of Humanitarian and Povery Alleviation, other agencies and the National.Commission for Persons with Disability to set up the committee and Mr President will soo launch the committee.

He said the committee is going to checkmate all the charade against accessibility of public buildings by people with disabilities.

He however said it is going to be a gradual process since the Act was recently signed into law.

Citing the case of United States, Abba-Isa said despite 35 years of existence of the law, there are still some buildings that are not accessibile for people with disability.

Nigeria calls for establishment of ECOWAS agency for disability Affairs

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta

Published

on

No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a strong condemnation of the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old Nigerian, Mene Ogidi, reportedly shot by a police officer in Effurun, warning that the authority of law enforcement must never be abused to take lives unlawfully.

In a statement released in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, described the April 26 incident as “deeply disturbing” and a direct violation of constitutional guarantees and the rule of law.

He stressed that no citizen should lose their life at the hands of those entrusted with their protection, noting that the reported conduct of the officer involved was “condemnable, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the principles of justice and a civilized society.”

The NHRC boss raised alarm over what he termed a troubling pattern of excessive force by security personnel, urging the Nigeria Police to take immediate and decisive action to curb the trend.

He called for systemic reforms, including mandatory periodic psychological and mental fitness evaluations for officers, particularly those deployed on special assignments, to ensure they are capable of handling firearms responsibly and engaging civilians within the bounds of the law.

Ojukwu further demanded swift disciplinary measures against the officer implicated in the incident, insisting that accountability must be pursued in line with existing laws and police regulations. He also pressed for the full implementation of recommendations from past panels on police brutality, arguing that meaningful reform remains critical to preventing future abuses.

“The Commission demands immediate arrest and a transparent investigation into the incident, dismissal of the officer involved, and swift prosecution in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that justice must also include adequate compensation for the victim’s family.

He warned that delays in justice risk eroding public trust in state institutions and weakening confidence in law enforcement agencies.

Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to human rights protection, Ojukwu said the NHRC would closely monitor the case while continuing its advocacy for accountability and justice.

“Nigeria must never normalize brutality,” he said. “Justice must speak louder than silence.”

No Badge Should Become a License to Kill — NHRC Condemns Alleged Extrajudicial Killing in Delta

Continue Reading

News

Bangladesh Seeks Deeper Strategic Ties with Nigeria

Published

on

Bangladesh Seeks Deeper Strategic Ties with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria has reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral relations, describing Bangladesh and Nigeria as natural partners bound by shared aspirations for development, cultural understanding, and global cooperation.

Speaking at the Bangla New Year 1433 celebration in Abuja, the High Commissioner, Miah Md. Mainul Kabir, emphasized that although geographically distant, Bangladesh and Nigeria share strong historical and developmental parallels as populous, dynamic, and rapidly evolving economies in their respective regions.

He noted that the relationship between both countries has continued to expand steadily in recent years, particularly in areas of trade, education, capacity building, and cultural exchange.

According to him, there remains significant untapped potential for collaboration in sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, ICT, and human capital development.

The High Commissioner stressed that cultural diplomacy remains a vital bridge in strengthening bilateral relations, adding that events such as the Bangla New Year celebration in Abuja provide an important platform for fostering mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations. He described such engagements as essential tools for building trust and expanding cooperation beyond formal diplomatic channels.

He further underscored the importance of people-to-people connections, noting that the Bangladeshi community in Nigeria plays a key role in reinforcing goodwill and serving as informal ambassadors of their country. He commended their contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic environment while also preserving cultural identity abroad.

Reiterating Bangladesh’s interest in stronger engagement with Nigeria, the High Commissioner said both countries stand to benefit from enhanced cooperation in trade diversification, knowledge exchange, and investment partnerships. He expressed optimism that continued dialogue and cultural interaction would translate into more structured bilateral initiatives in the near future.

He described the celebration of the Bangla New Year in Abuja as a reflection of the growing warmth in bilateral relations and a symbol of shared commitment to friendship and mutual progress between Bangladesh and Nigeria.

The event was arranged by the High Commission of Bangladesh in Abuja. And present were Ambassadors, members of diplomatic corps, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of think tanks, media, business community of Nigeria and expatriate Bangladeshis. The venue was colourfully decorated with traditional Bangladeshi artifacts, symbols of cultural heritage. Diversity of Bangladesh’s landscape in different seasons were put on display. A spectacular cultural performance by Bangladeshi and Nigerian artists displaying different aspects of the six seasons of Bangladesh charmed the audience. Traditional Bangladeshi food items including various pithas were served among the guests.

Bangladesh Seeks Deeper Strategic Ties with Nigeria

Continue Reading

News

Troops Foil Motorcycle Snatching Attempt in Plateau by Berom Militia, Victim Later Dies

Published

on

Troops Foil Motorcycle Snatching Attempt in Plateau by Berom Militia, Victim Later Dies

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Sector 5 Operation Peace Enforcement (OPEP) have foiled an attempted motorcycle snatching incident in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State by Berom Militia.

Security sources said that the incident occurred at about 7:20 p.m. on April 28 in Maiduna village, Dafof district, when armed individuals attacked a civilian and attempted to seize his motorcycle.

The sources said troops deployed at Maiduna general location responded swiftly to distress calls, forcing the attackers to abandon their mission and flee the scene.

According to the sources, the victim was rescued with injuries and his motorcycle recovered by troops during the operation.

They added that the victim was later evacuated to a clinic in Dafof, where he was confirmed dead despite medical attention.

The recovered motorcycle is currently in military custody, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Troops Foil Motorcycle Snatching Attempt in Plateau by Berom Militia, Victim Later Dies

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights