Kogi Govt Reaffirms Commitment To Disability Inclusion

The executive secretary of the Kogi State Office for Disability Affairs, Yakubu Nazir Abdulhakeem, has reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities by effectively implementing the Kogi State Disability Rights Law.

Abdulhakeem, in a welcome address at a sensitisation workshop on the Kogi State Disability Rights Law, emphasised the need for collective action to build an inclusive society that guarantees equal opportunities for the people regardless of physical ability.

The participants were drawn from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), parastatals, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, persons with disabilities, development partners, the media, and members of the public.

He noted that their presence reflected a shared commitment toward disability inclusion in the state.

The workshop was organised to deepen awareness and understanding of the Kogi State Disability Rights Law, which he described as a landmark legislation aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

He explained that the law seeks to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities and ensure their full participation in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, employment, transportation, political participation, and access to public infrastructure and services.

Abdulhakeem stressed that the success of the law would depend largely on the awareness, understanding, and commitment of stakeholders, adding that the sensitisation workshop was designed to educate institutions on their responsibilities under the law while promoting collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and development partners.

He further stated that the workshop would encourage the mainstreaming of disability inclusion in policies, programmes, and budget implementation, while also fostering positive societal attitudes toward persons with disabilities and strengthening advocacy for accessibility and equal opportunities.

In a presentation, the immediate past chairman of the Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, called for the implementation of the Kogi State Disability Rights Law to ensure a better environment for members of the disability community.