PWDs - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
Mar, Fri, 2025

Metro

Commission calls for inclusion of PwDs in Nigeria’s renewable energy initiative

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By Ahmed Musa

Mr Ayuba Gufwan, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), has urged stakeholders to include Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Nigeria’s renewable energy initiatives.

Gufwan made the call during a meeting with Anita Adeyemi, Vice President of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Associations Alliance (REEEA-A), on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting aims to promote the inclusion of PwDs in the renewable energy sector, with plans to provide training in areas such as solar panel installation.

“This partnership will offer training programmes to equip PwDs with skills in solar energy installation, maintenance, and entrepreneurship,” Gufwan stated.

He explained that the growing population of PwDs required concerted efforts to engage them in various sectors of the national economy.

Gufwan further emphasised that the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector necessitated the representation of PwDs, aligning with the inclusion policy drive of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“This partnership will open new doors for persons with disabilities in the renewable energy space, from access to solar energy solutions to skills development and entrepreneurial opportunities,” he said.

He also mentioned that upcoming national and international renewable energy conferences, including the Brazil Climate Action Summit, would focus on assessing the clean energy needs of PwDs across different disability clusters.

“The transition to clean energy must be inclusive and sustainable, so we call on all stakeholders to join us in making renewable energy accessible to persons with disabilities,” Gufwan added.

He assured Adeyemi of the commission’s commitment to raising awareness and promoting increased inclusion of PwDs in government-backed renewable energy programmes.

“We are committed to ensuring PwDs are not left behind in Nigeria’s clean energy future,” Gufwan added.

In response, Adeyemi highlighted the lack of representation of PwDs in the clean and renewable energy sector.

She noted that in most climate action and renewable energy discussions, persons with disabilities were either absent or not given defined roles to share their views.

“The situation remains the same in spite of Nigeria’s advocacy for clean energy adoption, and PwDs remain largely excluded from participation and access.

“We must work together to ensure they have access to sustainable energy solutions and economic empowerment within the sector.”(NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu and Abiemwense Moru

Philip Daniel Yatai
Mar, Mon, 2025

General News

Persons with disabilities want political appointments

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Blessing Ibegbu

Persons with Disabilities in Karu Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa, have called for recognition and political appointments of members in the area.

Mr Kura Magaji, the Chairman, Persons with Disabilities in Karu, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Karu.

He said that appointing Persons with Disabilities in political offices would give them a sense of belonging and bring out the best in them.

“We want the government at the local level to give one of us a political appointment with an office attached.

“By doing so, our voice can be heard, and our complaints addressed to the right office for easy response and task execution,” he said.

Magaji said that having a political representative with a designated office would enable them access their rights and entitlements.

He regretted that Persons with Disabilities could not access a series of palliatives from the government given to Nigerians because there was no substantive office or someone to speak for them.

“If we had a representative or advisory office, we would have been duly attended to, or know where to channel our grievances when necessary.”

Magaji also expressed displeasure at how people see and address them most times.

He lamented that Persons with Disabilities still faced stigmatization in society in spite of being responsible and human.

He noted that discrimination had been a major challenge they faced as people tended to misunderstand them whenever they approached fellow citizens.

“Most people still see Persons with Disabilities as not equals, and persons who cannot measure up in our society; this is not right and it is unacceptable.

“There is this misconception that whenever a person with disability approaches someone, it is either to ask for help or for alms; it is a very wrong impression.

“Persons with Disabilities also have careers, work and engage in businesses, and we have farmers and traders among us,” he added.

The chairman told NAN that the group in Karu can boast of 735 registered active members who meet on monthly basis during their congresses.

He commended the present Chairman of Karu Local Government Council, Mr Aliyu Madaki, for his support to their members.

He urged the chairman to ensure that Persons with Disabilities had at least an appointee as one of his advisers.

Magaji said the Federal Government had introduced a new appointment structure for local government administration under the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

He appealed to the government to look into the appointment structure and consider them. (NAN)

Edited by Ijendu Iheaka and Emmanuel Afonne

Philip Daniel Yatai
Feb, Tue, 2025

General News

Caring for PwDs, a fundamental right – Abbas

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By Ahmed Musa

Mr Tajudden Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives says caring for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) is not just an act of kindness, but a fundamental human right that must be observed.

Abbas stated this while declaring open a One-day National Stakeholders Consultation on the 2025 Global Disability Summit (GDS2025) Commitments, organised by the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised for stakeholders to brainstorm and find a common ground on Nigeria’s commitment ahead of 2025 Global Disability Summit expected to be held in Germany in April 2025.

The Speaker, who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Disability Matters, Hon. Bashiru Daudu, said the House would continue to provide necessary legislation that will promote the dignity, welfare and wellbeing of PwDs.

“It is globally resolved that caring for PwDs is not just an act of kindness, but a fundamental human right and part of the obligations of a just society.

“Caring for PwDs is about the restoration and preservation of human dignity” he said.

Speaking about the Summit, Abbas said it was imperative for stakeholders to review the progress made so far with a view to articulate the priority areas for necessary action.

“As we prepare for the 2025 Global Disability Summit, we must review our progress towards inclusion and equity for PWDs, identify gaps in our commitments, and reaffirm our resolve to drive towards a more inclusive future.

“The issues about equity and access for disabled persons in our country are about our common humanity.

“The opportunity that we have today is for us to make meaningful commitments that will transform the lives of our disabled brothers and sisters.

“These are essential community-building values, and that is the significance of the Global Disability Summit” he said.

For his part, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nantewe Yilwatda assured government readiness to work with stakeholders to deliver Nigeria’s commitments in advancing the course of PwDs.

The minister, represented by Mr Valentine Ezulu, said the commitments included the inclusion of PWDs in social protection coverage through an inclusive National Social Safety Net.

Yilwatda also explained that government had scaled up the disability-friendly education, skills acquisition training as well as promoting digital and financial inclusion for PwDs.

According to him, the ministry also ensured adequate implementation of accessibility standards across private and public buildings as well as deepening partnership with civil society organisations and International NGOs.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr Ayuba Gufwan, said Nigeria has taken a lead among countries in Africa that developed and implemented disability inclusive policies.

Gufwan said the summit will provide Nigeria with another opportunity to reaffirm its commitment towards advancing the course of Persons with Disabilities.

“Since 2018, when the first edition of the GDS was held in the United Kingdom, Nigeria has consistently made commitments and has made appreciable progress by fulfilling her commitments.

“In 2018, Nigeria pledged to enact the Disability Act and in less than a year, specifically by January 2019, the federal government fulfilled this commitment.

“We also made progress especially in the development of policy frameworks to drive disability-inclusive education, social protection, access to public infrastructure, job creation for PwDs,’’ he said. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Philip Daniel Yatai
Dec, Sat, 2024

General News

Foundation urges increased awareness on rights, welfare of PWDs

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By Ahmed Musa

Dr Susan Ake, the Managing Director of Lifesquare Leadership Initiative (LLI), a Non-Governmental Organisation, has called for increased awareness on rights and welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

She made the call while fielding questions from journalists during distribution of food items organised by LLI, in collaboration with AIB Adekoya Foundation at the Karon-Majiji Disability Colony, Airport Road, Abuja.

She said that the food items distribution was part of the foundation’s activities to mark the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IDPD is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992.

Annually marked on Dec. 3 around the world, the theme for this year is “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future’’, aimed at promoting understanding of disability issues and mobilising support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

According to her, issues of disability inclusion remain a focal point of LLI’s drive to actualise its dreams of service to humanity.

She advocated the need to stop the discrimination against PWDs, saying that doing so negates the provisions of Article 18, Sub Section 4 of the African Charter which emphasise protection of peoples’ rights, including PWDs.

“So, the fact that they are disabled does not mean they should be discriminated against.

“As a foundation, we always put PWDs into consideration in whatever we are doing; one of the areas we want the government to advance inclusive development for PWDs is policies that promote accessibility.

“We must also appreciate the government’s efforts toward building schools for PWDs.”

Dr Mfon Gift Ayira, the Regional Manager of AIB Adekoya Foundation, said that the group chose to celebrate 2024 IDPD with the community so as to identify with them and the most vulnerable groups.

Ayira explained that “we decided to celebrate with you because we believe that service to humanity is an act of worship, especially at this critical moment.

“We urge other wealthy individuals to replicate what we are doing here because this disability community needs this kind gesture and that is why we are here to show them love.”

Mr Mohammed Dantani, a beneficiary and Secretary of the disability community who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the donors for identifying with them.

Dantani promised to utilise the items for the purpose it was meant for.

NAN reports that a cheque flag of N500,000 was presented to the leader of the community, in addition to distribution of packs of milk, sugar, cassava flour, among others. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu