Suleiman Shehu
The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has advocated for the inclusion of the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in the security architecture and service delivery in Oyo State and Nigeria in general.
The event, which has as its theme: “Disability-Inclusive Service Delivery”, was organised by the centre in collaboration with Global Human Right Fund and Action Group on Free Civic Space, in Ibadan.
Acting Director CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, said that PWDs in Nigeria were facing challenges including violation of their civic rights by security agencies.
Unumeri, represented by the centre’s Finance and Administrative Manager, Mrs Florence Austin, said PWDs in Nigeria must have a meaningful voice in security-sector reform and nothing about them should be decided without their participation.
According to the CCD acting director, Nigeria needs a security sector reform that promotes inclusion and protection of persons with disabilities.
He also said that the sector reform would enhance more effective service delivery and trust from the communities they serve.
Unumeri said that the experiences of citizens, including PWDs had shown that security-sector reform was needed not only to strengthen the capacity of security agencies to maintain order but to also protect citizens’ rights and preserve civic space.
According to him, and security institutions have a responsibility to protect citizens, maintain public order and respect fundamental rights of all irrespective of individual challenges.
“For persons with disabilities, the consequences of an inappropriate security response can be particularly severe.
“Security-sector reform must therefore go beyond institutional restructuring. It must promote accessibility, inclusion, accountability, non-discrimination and respect for human dignity especially for PWDs.
“The objective of security-sector reform should consequently be to move from a model that merely controls civic space to one that protects civic space while maintaining public safety,” he said.
Unumeri said that civic space enables citizens to express their views, associate, assemble peacefully, engage government and demand accountability, adding that PWDs have the same rights to participate in public and civic life.
“We must recognise persons with disabilities not simply as beneficiaries requiring protection, but as rights holders, citizens, advocates, community leaders and partners in governance and security,” he said.
The CCD acting director said that the engagement of security institutions with persons with disabilities must be guided by human rights, non-discrimination and reasonable accommodation.
The Coordinator Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), Mr Testimony Omole, appealed to security agencies to always play their role in safeguarding the rights of PWDs and ensure the protection of their civic space rights.
Also speaking, the Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Abiodun Aikomo, who commended the organisers for the workshop, said PWDs must not be left behind in the security architecture and service delivery.
Aikomo, represented by the Ministry ‘s Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Najeem Abiola, said inclusion of PWDs in security architecture must not be viewed from the perspective of pity but that of ability, equality, dignity, determination and fundamentals rights.
According to him, disability inclusive service delivery is a responsibility that requires determination from all and requires willingness of security agencies to learn, adapt, improve and see PWDs beyond disability.
“Security institutions in Nigeria must be sensitive to the peculiar experiences of PWDs and not see their inclusion as an additional burden but an opportunity to build a security system that truly serves everyone.
Also speaking, the Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Oyo State Command, Ephraim Ogbemudia, said fairness, dignity, accessibility and respect for human rights remain strong points in the services’ daily interactions with the public.
Ogbemudia, represented by Superintendent of Immigration, Aisha Mohammed, said the command remained committed to collaboration with relevant government institutions and other stakeholders in promoting professional, accessible and rights-based service delivery for PWDs.
He said that security agencies as custodians of public safety have the responsibility to ensure that their actions and procedures promote inclusion rather than create additional obstacles for PWDs.
Representatives of Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in Oyo State, pledged to ensure inclusion of programmes to cater to PWD in their operations.
The Oyo State Chairman of the Joint Association of PWD, Mr Kolawole Abiodun, said that PWDs in Nigeria were facing lot of challenges especially during encounters with security agencies.
Abiodun urged security agencies and government at all levels to look into their plights and find a way of addressing the challenges facing PWDs.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bayo Sekoni