By Dayo Omoogun
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the newly-established
National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, in line with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019 and for the composition of its governing Council, particularly the appointment of Mr. James Lalu as the Commission’s Executive Secretary.
The party stated this in a statement Friday signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabana.
Mr. James Lalu is a member of the APC Caretaker Committee/ Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee and has been in the forefront of the struggle for better conditions for persons living with disability in Nigeria.
The Statement recalled that President Buhari signed into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019, following many years of relentless advocacy by disability rights groups and activists and therefore contends that this is a welcome reward.
“According to the World Health Organization, about 15 per cent of Nigeria’s population, or at least 25 million people, have a disability. Many of them face a number of human rights abuses including stigma, discrimination, violence, and lack of access to healthcare, housing, and education”, the party said.
“Notably, the APC as a party and government has been at the forefront of including and mainstreaming marginalised groups in governance and other facets of our national life. The President’s establishment of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and subsequent appointment of deserving officials to run the commission is another laudable step in empowering Persons with Disabilities.
“The APC remains a home for Persons with Disabilities giving them hope in party politics and Governance. The party is working on Construction amendment to strengthen the rights of Persons with Disabilities in our Party.
The party also commends “the passion of the supervising Minister Haj. Sadiya Umar Farouq for championing disability inclusion in governance by reserving 10% opportunities in N-Power and Minister of Labor for approving 10% in the ongoing public world Programme of the Buhari Administration”.
The party promised to “continue to promote the rights and dignity of Persons with Disabilities and all vulnerable groups in Nigeria in the spirit of Progressives”.