Gov. Al-Makura Umaru of Nasarawa State has implored the National Assembly to hasten the process of harmonising the bill on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) for the President’s assent.
Al-Makura made this call on Monday in Abuja at the 12th Anniversary of the Kpakpandu Foundation for Persons With Disabilities, with the theme ‘’Inclusiveness’’.
Commending the foundation for its endeavour to integrate and empower the PWD, Al-Makura noted that the PWD bill would internalise values of inclusiveness to improve the group.
He decried the discrimination of all sorts being faced by the disabled in the country, adding that mainstream programmes were all that they needed to encourage them.
“I appeal to Nigerians to reduce the level of discrimination on PWDs. The discrimination is so much that they cannot live their normal lives, they need care and concern.
“PWD needs your attention, advocacy and care. Every potential normal person is a potential disabled.
He, however, urged well meaning Nigerians to emulate the effort of the foundation and its inclusiveness call on persons with disability and put the group into consideration in the country.
The governor disclosed that the Comprehensive Special School for Persons With Disability would commence operation in January 2018 in Nasarawa state for all disabled.
Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state called for social development with commitment action on improving the lives of people, especially persons with special needs.
Stating that the PWDs were not errors of creation, he advocated that interest of the group should be protected in the country with convincing actions.
Sen. Osita Izunaso, Chairman, Board of Trustee and Founder of the foundation advocated for inclusiveness of the disabled in virtually everything in the country.
He said that the country has over 25 million persons with disabilities.
Izunaso added that 25 per cent of every employment should be seeded to the group because it has educated and qualified people.
Speaking on the bill on PWD, he said it has been passed at the Senate but was awaiting harmonisation before being sent to the President for approval.
The founder also urged all the state governors in the country to set up commission for persons with disabilities at the state level to improve their well-being.
“Some state governments including Lagos have done well by setting up the commission, others should come on board,’’ he added.
Izunaso disclosed that the foundation would have special arrangement with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make provisions for the persons with disability to vote in the next general election.
“We want to have special arrangement for them to vote from the house and also to be allowed to contest election.
The high points of the anniversary, which corresponded with the birthday of the founder, are unveiling and distribution of gift items, namely wheelchair, grinding and sewing machines, generators, hair dryer among others to 1,000 disabled persons. (NAN)