By George Ozalla
The European Union (EU) and the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) have launched a three-year disability project targeted at promoting inclusive development and sustainability for persons with disabilities in Delta and Benue states as pilot program. The Disability Rights Advocacy Project for Inclusive Development seeks to empower stakeholders to support inclusiveness in society, workplaces, and the health sector.
The project is co-funded by CBM and implemented by The Abino Foundation Africa and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund.
Ms. Winifred Aohu-Egbuson, the EU Delegation Programme Manager for Civil Society, Youth, and Human Rights, stated that for the European Union, human rights is one of their major principles, and disability inclusion is a part of human rights that should be widely observed.
Aohu-Egbuson further revealed that the project is set to empower government stakeholders, such as the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, to ensure disability is included in all government programs and policies. The three-year project, which started on March 3, would terminate in March 2028. Plans are under way to sustain the program and include more states based on the progress made from the two pilot states.
The Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Nigeria Country Director, Mr. Omoi Samuel, in his speech emphasized that the project launch was essential, owing to the fact that moratorium for the implementation of the National Disability law had elapsed. He further noted that the project would enhance the implementation of the Discrimination of Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act and provide the necessary enlightenment needed to enhance implementation of the law.
Samuel pointed out that the project would empower stakeholders with technical capacity to push for disabilities inclusion in government plans, programs, policies and implementation strategy.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr Ayuba Gufwan praised both the European Union (EU) and Christian Blind Mission (CBM) for their collective initiative in advocating for disabilities inclusion in Nigeria.
Visibly excited Gufwan, stated that the project was a good move in the right direction and would have a great impact on persons with disabilities in the two pilot states.
The Majority Leader of Benue State House of Assembly, Honorable Saater Tiseer and Mr Michael Odie, Director of Rehabilitation, Community Welfare and Social Development, Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs in their individual separate remarks commended Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and European Union (EU) and other partners who had contributed to the success of the laudable program.
“We are happy because it came at a time that we have considered a policy and law on disability issues in Benue State, we sincerely appreciate CBM and its partners and whoever involved in funding this laudable project”, Tiseer concluded.
Similarly Mr Odie, commended the EU and its partner for selecting Delta State for the D-RAPID pilot project. He noted that the laudable project will break disability barriers, foster inclusiveness and increased potentials for persons with disabilities.
The event which took place at the Abuja Continental Hotel, recorded a large turnout of guests, participants and other stakeholders.
