Cbm, TAF Africa, D-RAPID Project Organise Town Hall For PWDs, Demand More Inclusion In Governance, Free Medicare
By: Ella Akpa
Warri: The Christian Blind Mission, Cbm, TAF Africa, and the Disability Rights Advocacy Project for Inclusive Development, D-RAPID, have organised a town hall meeting with Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, in Warri South LGA, Delta State.
The meeting, organised by the NGOs, is aimed at building the capacity of PWDs to demand greater inclusion in governance, access to free Medicare, and other rights.
Speaking at the town hall meeting on Monday, September 8, Mr. Innocent Onyema Alonu, Cbm Resource Person, urged PWDs to work together in unity to succeed.
He urged them to advocate for the inclusion of their members in governance through appointive and elective offices. He cited, Article 9, of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on non-discrimination, and Article 8 on awareness raising.
Mr. Alonu noted that Plateau State has achieved the appointment of Special Advisers to LGA Chairmen on PWDs, and called for the same to be replicated in Delta State.
He added that the Delta State Disability Law has addressed many concerns of PWDs, and that they have also succeeded in enrolling PWDs to access free healthcare.
Dr. Andrew Adaji, Programme Manager, TAF Africa, demanded that 5% of all empowerment and employment opportunities at the LGA level be reserved for PWDs.
He said TAF Africa is a Disability Inclusion Champion that has consistently advocated for the rights of PWDs across the country, and commended the European Union, EU for its consistent support.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Massimo De Luca, advised PWDs to focus on their health as the country approaches the 2027 elections. He noted that there is more than a year and six months left in the current administration.
Mr. De Luca assured PWDs of the EU’s continued support and further engagement with government to improve their welfare.
Also speaking, Mr. Okai Mohammed Siaka, Programme Coordinator, Cbm, enlightened participants on their rights and strategies for survival in the current economic realities.
The Chairman of PWDs in Warri South, Comrade Fatai Onifade, expressed satisfaction with the programme. He commended Cbm, TAF Africa, EU, and other partners for the training, which he said has equipped them to demand better support from government.
Comrade Fatai also commended the Delta State Government for its provisions for PWDs. He appealed for the establishment of a Delta State Commission for Persons With Disabilities, with members appointed from the PWD community. He also requested the provision of access facilities in banks, as well as hearing aids and walking aids for the blind.
The Representative of the Chairman of Warri South LGA, Hon. Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, and the Supervisor for Human Capital Development, Mrs. Misan Eke, assured PWDs of more government support and inclusion.
Community representatives and other stakeholders were also present during the town hall engagement.
