The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), under the leadership of its Executive Secretary, Chief Ayuba Gufwan, hosted the Nigeria Partnership for Inclusive Development (NIPDID) Check-In Meeting today at the World Bank office in Abuja.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders and development partners to strategize on the effective implementation of disability inclusion initiatives across Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, Chief Ayuba Gufwan emphasized the critical need for collaborative efforts in achieving the objectives of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
“To ensure a coordinated approach to disability inclusion, it is imperative to engage with our development partners and align on key priorities,” he stated.
The Executive Secretary outlined six strategic pillars for advancing the provisions of the Act:
- Strengthening governance and institutional frameworks.
- Enhancing access to assistive technologies.
- Developing a disability-inclusive policy framework.
- Expanding digital infrastructure.
- Promoting strategic awareness of inclusion programs.
- Addressing data challenges within the disability community.
He further highlighted the Commission’s commitment to resolving data discrepancies, noting, “We face conflicting figures on persons with disabilities daily, and we must find a lasting solution to this challenge.”
Representing Sightsavers, Esther Bature advocated for a unified approach among stakeholders.
“Many organizations have similar programs for persons with disabilities, but greater impact can be achieved through roundtable discussions and coordinated implementation,” she said.
The World Bank’s representative, Ms. Cyndi Ikeaka, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to disability inclusion. In her opening remarks, she described NIPDID as a collaborative initiative designed to embed disability inclusion in Nigeria’s national development policies and programs.
“The NIPDID initiative encourages international and local stakeholders to allocate at least 10% of their resources to disability-focused interventions,” Ms. Ikeaka noted. “It aligns with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in public spaces and programs.”
The Check-In Meeting served as a platform for stakeholders to share insights and strengthen partnerships to advance the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
Signed
Mbanefo JohnMichaels Ikechukwu
Head Press and Public Relations Unit,
NCPWD
