By Lanre Oloyede
In a significant move towards advancing the cause of disability inclusion in Nigeria, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, held a pivotal meeting today, September 17, 2024, with Lady Omotunde Ellen Thompson, the revered “Mother of the Disability Civil Rights Movement” and Life Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Nigeria.
The meeting, which also included Mr. Job Napoleon Agbor, Convener of the Pioneers of Nigeria’s National and International Disabilities Civil Rights Movement and Policy Changers, signals the beginning of a new era of proactive engagement and grassroots participation for the Nigerian disability community.
Mr. Agbor, a critical stakeholder and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Etomi Ward in Etung LGA, Cross River State, and his team, joined the discussions aimed at reshaping the future of disability advocacy in the country.
The dialogue was anchored around the next phase of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s “PARADIGM SHIFT,” a strategic effort aimed at addressing the long-standing challenges faced by Nigerians with disabilities.
The participants recognized that much of the damage inflicted on the disability community has been inherited from past administrations. However, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, there is renewed optimism for systematic change.
Hon. Abba Isa emphasized the government’s commitment to reversing the neglect experienced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) through a robust and inclusive approach.
The engagement, he noted, marked the beginning of a nationwide “Village Movement,” a grassroots, community-based participatory approach designed to ensure that PWDs are active contributors and beneficiaries of Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Lady Omotunde Ellen Thompson, a key figure in the disability rights movement, expressed her satisfaction with the renewed focus on disability matters, describing the meeting as a major milestone. “This is not just a meeting; it is the dawn of a new era for PWDs in Nigeria. We are taking back our community, one step at a time, through a people-centered approach,” she said.
The meeting sets the stage for deeper collaboration between government officials, civil society, and the disability community to build a more inclusive society that guarantees equal opportunities for all. With the “PARADIGM SHIFT” initiative, there is hope that the voices of PWDs will finally be heard, their needs addressed, and their rights fully protected under the law.
As Nigeria continues to work towards a more inclusive future, this engagement highlights the critical role of grassroots participation and community-driven movements in ensuring that no one is left behind, particularly those within the PWD community.
This landmark meeting underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to creating a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of ability, has equal access to opportunities for development and success.
