Federal Govt Reassures Persons With Disabilities Of Better Treatment

Federal government has reassured Nigerians of its resolve to ensure an inclusive society for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

The minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, disclosed this at a press conference to commemorate the 2022 International Day of Persons With Disabilities yesterday in Abuja.

Farouq said the annual observance of the day aims at promoting an understanding of disability issues and mobilising support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

She said this will also serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders on the needs of PWDs, in order to intensify efforts towards improving their situations.

As a country, she said the nation has been celebrating this day since 1994 however this year, the ministry will only mark it with this press conference, aimed at celebrating millions of PWDs in Nigeria as well as showcasing the ministry’s achievements in the disability spheres recently.

“In the years under review, below are some of the key achievements in relation to issues affecting Persons with Disabilities: Review and formulation of policies and guidelines; Advocacy and sensitization to the public on the rights of PWDs; Management of the Nigeria Farmcraft Center for the Blind in Lagos, where 57 trainees graduated from 2020/2021 Session and currently, 47 of them are about rounding-off for 2021/2022 Session.

“Management of the Braille Presses/Libraries Centers in each of the Six Geo Political Zones v. Marking of International Days; Capacity building of Persons with Disabilities on Income Generating Activities, with grants of N100,000 each; Capacity building for 48 identified Local Producers of Assistive Devices for PWDs, with a grant of N200,000 each.

“Training of 33 visually impaired on Activities of Independent Living ix. Skills training of 19 women and girls with disabilities and caregivers of children with disabilities on catering/event management and make-up/cosmetology, with grants of N100,000 each as start-up.”

Through the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, she said a lot of persons with disabilities have been employed as staff.

She said following the directives of the President, many persons with disabilities have been included in the new Unified National Social Register (UNSR) of vulnerable beneficiaries of the current National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP).