Abuja (Humanitarian Affairs Ministry Report) – The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, has disclosed that Nigeria will be joining the world to mark the 2019 International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the country.
The Minister who made this known in a press briefing recently, said the 3rd of December had been declared the annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities by the United Nations following resolution 47/3 of 14th October, 1992.
She revealed that this was a day set aside to raise awareness and bring to the front burner issues affecting Persons with Disabilities.
According to her, “This year’s theme, ‘Promoting the participations of Person with Disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda’ will accord us the opportunity to assess our progress, identify gaps/challenges and best practices towards improving and protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria”.
She enumerated the achievements made in 2019 in the sector such as the signing and assenting to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2019; the participation of Nigeria at the 2nd World Disability Summit and 12th Session of Conferences of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Buenos Aires, Argentina and the UN Headquarters, New York, USA; Nigeria was able to reopen the Nigeria Farm craft Centre for the Blinds (NFCB), Lagos for admission of trainees after two years of closure (about 48 trainees are at the point of concluding their trainings at the centre); the Federal Government have been supporting Persons with Disabilities on annual basis with various forms of assisted devices and economic empowerment materials such as Wheelchairs, Tricycles, Braille Machines, Guide Canes, Sewing Machines and Vulcanising Machines; and a step-down training has been conducted on teachers and caregivers of Children with Special Needs, among others.
The Minister then called on all stakeholders including the media to join hands towards improving and protecting the rights of Persons with Disabilities in the country.
Rhoda Ishaku Iliya
Assistant Director, Information
