By Lanre Oloyede
As the world marks this year International Day of Education, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has called for partnerships and collaborations from stakeholders and development partners with the government in order to create a conducive environment for inclusive education that accomodates all citizens, particularly Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Hon. Abba Isa, who is a staunch champion of inclusive education with over a decade of experience in disability advocacy both locally and internationally, acknowledged the
transformative power of education and the need to ensure its accessibility to all, including individuals with disabilities.
The Senior Presidential aide made the call while granting an interview on a National Television Authority (NTA) program in Abuja.
The SSAP noted that the International Day of Education is a call to action, and a reminder that education is a fundamental right that should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their abilities.
He added that the government of President Bola Tinubu is steadfast in its commitment to realizing inclusive education, while calling on all stakeholders to join hands to build a society where every individual has the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the best of their abilities.
While answering questions on the National Disability law, the aide to President Tinubu maintained that the law prohibits infringement of the rights of PWDs in terms of access to goods and services for the public, access to public buildings and facilities, access to education and health, participation in politics and governance, and 5% employment quota in all public establishments.
He said: “The law prohibits discrimination against PWDs on all grounds. It promotes the rights, dignity and capabilities of PWDs, and also provides for 5 year grace period within which public buildings and facilities should be made accessible to PWDs. The grace period expires today, January 23, 2024.
“The implication is that owners of inaccessible public buildings are liable to law suit. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated my office to ensure compliance with the law.”
Speaking on the challenges to the implementation of the law, Hon. Abba Isa noted that the impediment against the implementation of the law ranges from lack of awareness of the provisions of the law, to negative attitudes of individuals, to institutional barriers, to lack of resources for compliance drive.
The Senior Presidential aide called on all MDAs and subnational authorities to cooperate so that we can build an inclusive and sustainable societies where everyone can thrive.
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