Inclusion - News Agency Of Nigeria

Foundation urges unity ahead of 2025 Global Disability Summit

Philip Daniel Yatai
Feb, Wed, 2025

Metro

Foundation urges unity ahead of 2025 Global Disability Summit

By Ahmed Musa

The Albino Foundation Africa (TAF Africa) has called on Nigerian disability community to remain united while presenting its commitment towards fostering disability-inclusive development at 2025 Global Disability Summit in Germany.

Mr Jake Epelle, the Chief Executive Officer of the group, made the call on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

NAN reports that the summit, which is scheduled to be held between April 2 and 3 in Berlin, Germany, is organised by the International Disability Alliance and the governments of Germany and Jordan.

”We have to ensure that the disability community go there with one voice and the position of the Nigerian Community of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) as well as that of government is well articulated.

”We have to determine what will be our position so that we don’t go there and everybody is speaking across purpose, there is a need for us to have one voice that resonate in the conference.

”A voice that will speak to specific issues that would address the yearnings and aspirations of Persons with Disabilities especially the need to advance our social inclusion” Epelle said.

The TAF Africa CEO also explained that the focus of the summit would be the commitment of stakeholders especially on the areas of need to PwDs.

”Commitment is part of the summit because it is designed to get individuals, organisations, countries to send in their commitments.

”If your commitment is on inclusion, if your commitment is on women empowerment or engaging critical stakeholders, you have to detail that commitment and it has to be read on the floor of the Summit.

”Nigeria has not been part of the co-sponsors of the summit and I think we should be calling for Nigeria to be recognised as the Co-Sponsor like Kenya and Ghana,” he said.

Epelle therefore, expressed the need for Nigeria to cosponsor the next Global Summit on Disability to showcase the country’s commitment to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.

The aim of the Summit is to draw countries commitment to fostering disability-inclusive development, galvanise global efforts to achieve disability inclusion around the world (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Tinubu advocates disability inclusion in all spheres of life

Philip Daniel Yatai
Dec, Wed, 2024

General News

Tinubu advocates disability inclusion in all spheres of life

By Ahmed Musa

President Bola Tinubu has urged stakeholders to advocate for and amplify the voices of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to achieve disability inclusion and promote their welfare and rights.

Tinubu made this call at a National Dialogue commemorating the 2024 International Day for Persons with Disabilities in Abuja.

The President was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Mr Abba Isah.

Tinubu emphasised the importance of advancing the cause of PWDs in Nigeria, citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which provided for the protection of PWDs’ rights.

“We signed the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which provides a framework for protecting human rights in Africa.

“Although the charter does not explicitly mention Article 18, Sub 4, it emphasises the importance of promoting and protecting the rights of all individuals, including those with disabilities.

“In line with our Renewed Hope Agenda, we appointed a Special Assistant to promote equal opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

“The office was mandated to collaborate with government agencies, subnational governments, development partners, civil society organisations, and associations of PWDs to ensure that their policies align with our agenda.

“We are working closely with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to promote disability inclusion in the country,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio pledged that the tenth Senate would continue to enact laws promoting the rights and wellbeing of PWDs.

Akpabio, represented by Sen. Ireti Kingibe, (LP-FCT), emphasised the need for collective effort to promote inclusive development of PWDs.

According to Akpabio, stakeholders must amplify the voices of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and get involved to support them.

Akpabio stressed the importance of evaluating and treating individuals based on their abilities, rather than their disabilities.

He believed that democracy was not just about voting rights, but also about equal opportunities for all, including PWDs.

To achieve this, Akpabio called for unity and a shared spirit of inclusivity, hope, and determination to advance the rights and inclusion of PWDs.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr Ayuba Gufwan, noted that the 2024 International Day for Persons with Disabilities provided an opportunity to review progress and identify challenges ahead.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured awards presentations by the NCPWD to the World Bank, Sightsavers Nigeria, European Union and other partners that contributed towards the commission’s achievements. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Arts, culture veritable tools for inclusive economic growth – Minister

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Fri, 2024

Culture & Tourism

Arts, culture veritable tools for inclusive economic growth – Minister

By Philip Yatai

Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has described arts, culture and traditions of FCT residents as veritable tools for inclusive economic growth.

Mahmoud stated this at the close of the 11th Edition of the Abuja Festival of Arts and Culture (ASOFEST), in Abuja on Thursday.

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Olubumi Olowookere, noted that FCT was blessed with rich and unique culture, customs and traditions.

She said that the 11th edition of the ASOFEST, with the theme, “Sustaining the Renewed Hope Agenda through Efficient Management of Cultural Resources”, seeks to build and promote culture as a creative economy.

Mahmoud stressed that arts and culture were critical tools in the quest to transform the nation’s economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth.

This, she said, would promote peace, prosperity and unity, thereby boosting food and national security.

She reiterated the FCT Administration’s commitment to preserving and protecting the rich cultural heritage of indigenous people and residents of the territory

She said that through ASOFEST, the FCT Administration was not only preserving but also promoting and showcasing the FCT’s unique arts, culture and traditions to the world.

“The FCT Administration is poised to protect, preserve, promote and showcase our rich cultural heritage, diversity, uniqueness and traditions to the world.

“This, we are doing through cultural exchange and exhibition at our own annual ASOFEST.

“The festival has afforded us the opportunity to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of the people and residents of FCT.

“Even the people who settled and made FCT their home, we equally appreciate the dynamism of their different cultures,” she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, had promised to develop the territory’s arts, culture and tourism potential.

Wike said at the opening of the two-day event that the move would preserve, promote and showcase FCT’s cultural heritage to the world.

He said that President Bola Tinubu had given a matching order to the FCTA, to harness the tourism potential of the federal capital, with a view to contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru