The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities Mohammed Abba Isa on Tuesday 15th April,2025, Significantly move to deepen disability inclusion and strengthen Nigerians commitment to international best practices in a high level meeting with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Mohammed M. Malick Fall at the UN house in Abuja.
The meeting had representatives from several UN Agencies including UNESCO,(United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) WHO(World Health Organization),UNFPA(United Nations Population Fund)and the office of the high commissioner for human rights, as well as civil society leaders and disability advocates.
The highlight of the meeting was focused on aligning Nigeria’s disability policies with global practices in other to accelerate the implementation of the National disability act, and engaging UN agency’s support to empower persons with disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups.
United Nations (UN) Coordinator, Mohammed Fall, in his welcome address emphasized the centrality of inclusion to the UN’s mandate, stating inclusion isn’t just a principle for us, it is embedded in all our programmes.
He further said, the sustainable development goals(SDGs)are grounded in the promise of leaving no one behind and begins with persons with disabilities. He also reaffirms the UN’s commitment to inclusion, stating it as the core pillar of the UN’s mandate and sustainable development goals. However, he emphasized on the importance of reliable data, subnational policy implementation and institutional support for effective and meaningful impact.
Nevertheless, he also acknowledged the global funding crisis affecting development work, urging National government to increase investment in inclusion.
The Resident Coordinator Mr Fall also introduced Judith Ekaete Umoh, the newly appointed inclusion coordinator at the UN Resident coordinator’s office describing her as an asset to advancing the UN’s inclusion agenda in Nigeria.
Hon. Abba Isa highlighted key achievements of his office, which includes the launch of the disability inclusion, Governors connect programmes and the beyond disability project amongst many, which aims to generate over 36000 job opportunities for PWDs across Nigeria.
He also acknowledged the establishment of an approved presidential task force for full implementation of the National disability act.
The meeting concluded with mutual commitment to foster strategic collaboration and accelerate inclusive development in Nigeria.
Signed
Patience Daniel Ochigbo
Head, Press and Public Relations.
17/04/2025
