…As Governor Obiano Announces Establishment Of Anambra Disability Rights Commission
The Disability Community in Anambra State last Friday, 3rd December, 2021, joined their counterparts all over the world to commemorate this year’s International Day Of Persons With Disabilities.
The United Nations set aside 3rd December every year to observe The Day aimed at bringing to the fore, disability issues as well as mobilizing support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities.
In commemoration of the day, Governor Willie Obiano announced the establishment of Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, in conformity with section three sub-section one of the Disability Rights Law.
This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters, Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie, during a press briefing to mark the Day.
Barrister Ezewuzie, who is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the newly approved commission, noted that the governor had, in 2018, signed the Anambra State Disability Rights Law, making Anambra the first State in the South East, to sign the bill into law.
He added that Governor Obiano has also authorized the Commission to commence work immediately on the implementation of the provisions of the Disability Rights Law as the Anambra State Disability Rights Commission is the domestication of the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disability.
In an address, the Chairman, Anambra State Association of Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, JONAPWD, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, spoke on the theme of this year’s celebration which is, “Leadership and Participation Of Persons With Disabilities, Towards An Inclusive, Accessible And Sustainable COVID-19 World”.
Comrade Okeke posited that the theme was tactically selected to expose opportunities that would lead to inclusive future for persons with disabilities and the need to create enabling environment for their involvement in leadership aspirations, highlighting also challenges that prevent them from participating actively in society.
Comrade Okeke commended Governor Obiano, who they named, “The Consoler of Persons With Disabilities”, for his magnanimity towards persons with disability in Anambra State.
The Director of Rehabilitation Department, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Anthonia Obianyo, recalled that they had always been schemed out during promotions until the administration of governor Obiano came on board, called on persons with disabilities never to allow anyone intimidate them.
The Head of Media Department, Office of the Governor on Disability Matters, Chidimma Ajemba, in her own presentation, titled, “International Day Of Persons With Disabilities; A Call For Sustainable and Transformative Progress On Disability Inclusion”, said statistics from the United Nations show that about one billion population of persons are with disabilities in the world.
According to her, 80% of the population live in developing countries, while an estimated 46% of older people aged 60 years and above, are people with disabilities.
Chidinma Ajemba further noted that one in every five women is likely to experience disability in her life, while one in every ten children is a child with a disability.
Contributing, other members of the association, Ncheta Nwanokwara, Mary-Jane Umezinwa, and Vivian Onwumere, observed that when it comes to violence against women, women with disabilities are mostly affected.
Speaking, Anambra State Coordinator, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, RoLAC Programme, Mrs Josephine Onah, said the organisation had sponsored JONAPWD in various capabilities including the Disability Rights Law, and promised that RoLAC would not relent in ensuring that all issues concerning Persons With Disabilities are addressed.
In a vote of thanks, Amaobi Nwagu appreciated governor Obiano for his magnanimity towards them, and also the Press for always giving them the needed publicity, as well as the organisers and all those who attended the event as they all assisted in making the event a success
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