………….…assures NCPD of support.
Professor Tunji Olaopa has assured the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons living with Disabilities (NCPD) that the Commission will diligently implement statutorily five per cent employment earmarked for People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs). He also assured them of engaging Head of Service office on their matters.
He gave this assurance when he received the management of National Commission for Persons living with Disabilities (NCPD) led by its Executive Secretary Chief Ayuba Gufwan in his office during the week.
He disclosed that the Commission has fulfilled five per cent for teaching profession, even exceeded the quota up to ten per cent. He said the constraints in ministries are that some MDAs are not prepare structurally to accommodate PLWDs. He called for NCPD to match its advocacy for increase in number of PLWDs to be employed with more infrastructural provision in MDAs in order to achieve its objectives.
Chairman maintained that as over 35.5 million population of PLWD in Nigeria was rising, database of all on them was critical. He said it was the responsibility of the NCPD to establish credible, reliable and timely data base of PLWDs in the country. Olaopa said good data base on PLWDs is necessary from policy stand and for the institution to use them to tell its story.
“You have a major challenge to establish credible, reliable and timely data base that will tell your story easier for policy making, for intervention, and for us to understand.”
Olaopa said PLWDs data base will enable NCPD to know the causes of PLWDs rising population, why is not reducing in spite of government interventions and how future increases can be mitigated. He added that with this data, required policy measures will be easily developed and reinforced, good for advocacy and researchers.
While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the NCPD as a dedicated Commission to cater for the needs of PLWDs, he assured NCPD of his support in removing barriers, unfair treatment and other forms of injustice on PLWDs; he also gave an assurance of engaging the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on the same issues.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary, Gufwan appreciated the Chairman for his concern for PLWDs. He said as he assumed office his strategies was to collaborate with other agencies to advocate for PLWDs.
He stated that the NCPD was established from various agitations and clamours from PLWD families, communities and groups to have an institution that will see to the amelioration of their situations.
Gufwan revealed that the organization is saddled with responsibilities of making lives of PLWDs comfortable so that they will not suffer any form of neglect, deprivation and injustice.
Flanked by other management staff, he said Nigeria has many PLWDs who are eminently qualified to hold any positions in the country. He added that the best way to practice inclusion in the country is to make sure no one is left behind saying that the development of the country was a collective responsibility which PLWDs will play a pivotal role. He added that PLWDs professionals must be carried along to achieve the greatness Nigeria desires.
According to him, PLWDs cut across various spectrums of Nigeria society including those with mobility challenges, hearing problems, visual impairments and other critical challenges.
The Secretary disclosed that the extant act and law establishing the organization stipulated a 5-year moratorium for existing buildings to be PLWDs accessible; adding the moratorium has ended and the organization with start enforcing the extant laws in that regard.
Signed.
Taiwo Hassan
Head (Press & Public Relations).
