By Lanre Oloyede
Purpose of the Meeting:
The meeting aimed to familiarize the newly appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, with key stakeholders in the disability community. It provided an opportunity for the Minister to directly hear the concerns, challenges, and expectations of the community.
Attendance:
The meeting had in attendance key stakeholders, including:
- Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda – Hon. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
- Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
- Mr. Badamasi Lawal – National Coordinator, NSIPA
- Mr. Lanre Oloyede – Representative of the SSA to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities
- Dr. Jake Epelle – TAF Africa
- Dr. Adebukola Adebayo – Representative of the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD)
- Mr. Abdullahi Usman Aliyu – President, JONAPWD
- Lois Auta-Udonkanta – Women With Disabilities Representative
- Mrs. Judith Ekaete Umoh – CBM Global
- Dr. Chike Okogwu – Care Foundation
- Ambassador Chris Nwanoro – Nigeria Ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe
- Representative of Inclusive Friends Association (IFA)
- Chris Agbo – Qualitative Magazine
Key Highlights of the Meeting:
Welcome Address by Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata:
The Permanent Secretary warmly welcomed attendees, emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to inclusivity and its resolve to prioritize Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). He assured stakeholders that from 2025 onwards, discrimination against PWDs would be addressed, and their welfare would take center stage in the Ministry’s programs. He urged them to always engage with the Ministry as they will be accorded with a sense of belonging.
Goodwill Messages:
Dr. Jake Epelle (TAF Africa): Praised the Minister’s familiarity and identification with the disability community, describing him as “one of us.” He noted that the Minister is not ashamed to identify with the disability community as he is also a person with disability.
Ambassador Chris Nwanoro:
Commended the Minister’s open-door policy and acknowledged his appointment as a positive step for inclusivity. He thanked the ministry for nominating him for election into the United Nations and brought glory to Africa and Nigeria. He promised to use his position in the UN to attract so much benefits to Nigeria and Africa at large, by bridging the gap between the Global North and Global South. He used the occasion to invite the Honourable Minister and his team as well as the disability community to his official inauguration coming up on the 3rd of March.
Mrs. Judith Ekaete Umoh:
Expressing her delight in attending the meeting, Mrs. Umoh emphasized the strategic importance of her presence. She highlighted disability as a cross-cutting issue that intertwines with both humanitarian and developmental concerns. She called for strengthened partnerships and collaborations to achieve genuine inclusivity.
Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu Usman:
Mr. Usman commended the Minister for the significant role played in advancing electoral reforms at INEC, ensuring greater inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process. He hailed the Minister’s appointment as one of the best in the country’s history, emphasizing the Minister’s deep understanding of the terrain and commitment to uplifting PWDs in Nigeria.
Lois Auta-Udonkanta:
Speaking on behalf of women with disabilities, Mrs. Auta-Udonkanta highlighted the double jeopardy they face due to multiple barriers, including attitudinal, structural, institutional, cultural, medical, and economic challenges. She emphasized the urgency of transitioning from exclusion to inclusion, participation, and representation in all sectors.
Dr. Chike Okogwu:
Dr. Okogwu expressed optimism about the future of PWDs in Nigeria. He stressed the importance of ensuring full implementation of the National Disability Act to protect and uphold the rights of PWDs.
Dr. Adebukola Adebayo (NCPWD):
Dr. Adebayo thanked the Minister for the unwavering support and collaboration extended to the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. He announced the operationalization of zonal offices in the Southeast, Southwest, and North-Central regions through partnerships with state governments. Furthermore, he highlighted the Commission’s initiative to work with local governments to develop a National Disability Database for effective government planning. He also sought the Ministry’s support to ensure the Commission’s participation in the upcoming Global Disability Summit.
Address by the Minister:
Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda reaffirmed his connection to the disability community, sharing that he identifies as a person with a disability due to a lack of sense of smell. He emphasized his track record, including his leadership of the INEC Disability Committee, where he helped design a framework for inclusive electoral processes.
The Minister pledged collaboration, stating, “You have a brother, a friend, a partner, and a shoulder to lean on. My doors are always open.”
Key Policy Submissions by the Minister:
- Empowerment Programs: The Minister noted that by the first and second quarters of the year, the ministry will embark on a number of empowerment initiatives while promising dedicated quotas for PWDs to ensure equitable participation.
- Inclusive Program Design: He stated that the Ministry will allocate a percentage of all programs of the Ministry to PWDs, stressing that they want it to get to PWDs across the country. He said the Ministry will interact with the key stakeholders to select the names across the country and forward to us.
- Program Validation: He said the Ministry is planning a validation exercise for all Ministry programs that will be conducted this year before the international development partners in February, and this is aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Ministry and development organizations.
- Comprehensive Register: He stated that adatabase will be developed to document vulnerable groups, including PWDs, internally displaced persons (IDPs), widows, orphans, and others.
- Response Plan Team Committee: The Minister requested for the setting up of a committee to mainstream the comprehensive register. Members of the Committee included representatives from:
✓Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs
✓Office of the SSA on Disability Matters
✓National Commission of Persons With Disabilities
✓Jonapwd
✓Ambassador Chris Nwanoro
✓Lois Auta-Udonkanta
✓Mrs Judith Umoh-Ekaete
✓Dr. Chike Okogwu
✓Mr Rex
✓TAF AFRICA
✓Deaf Community
The Minister also highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to disability rights and social investment programs, reflecting the administration’s dedication to supporting PWDs and vulnerable groups.
Vote of Thanks by Dr. Jake Epelle:
Dr. Epelle expressed gratitude to the Minister for his disability-friendly approach and open-door policy. He acknowledged the Minister’s proactive stance, including his directive to engage with the organizers of the Global Disability Summit and commitment to leading a Nigerian delegation to the event. He assured the Minister of the community’s unwavering support and urged the newly formed committee to diligently serve the disability community.
Conclusion:
The meeting marked a significant step toward fostering collaboration between the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the disability community. Stakeholders left reassured of the Minister’s commitment to inclusivity and empowerment, setting a hopeful tone for the future.
Report Prepared By Mr. Lanre Oloyede , Director Media and Communications, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities
