By Ngozi Nwankwo
The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Chief Ayuba Gufwan, has called for greater awareness and enforcement of the Disability Act, lamenting the low level of advocacy since its enactment.
This was expressed during a recent meeting in Abuja, where Chief Gufwan received members of the newly established Inter-Ministerial Committee on Disability Rights Advocacy. The delegation, led by senior officials from NCPWD and Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, highlighted efforts to bolster advocacy for disability rights across Nigeria.
Chief Gufwan expressed his appreciation to the Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, for establishing the Inter-Ministerial Committee in line with the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
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“The establishment of this committee is a significant step towards ensuring that disability rights advocacy is integrated across various government agencies, creating a unified approach to promoting inclusivity for persons with disabilities,” Gufwan stated.
During the meeting, Chief Gufwan emphasized the urgency of raising awareness about the Act, particularly since the five-year compliance moratorium has now expired.
“It is essential for government institutions and private facility owners to understand that the deadline for compliance has passed. They must now adhere to the provisions of the law, ensuring accessibility in all public spaces,” he asserted.
The Executive Secretary highlighted the need to increase advocacy efforts for Nigeria’s estimated 35.5 million persons with disabilities.
“This Commission is dedicated to changing the narrative and meeting the high expectations of persons with disabilities across the country,” Chief Gufwan added.
The meeting also featured insights from Barr. Ikem Uchegbulam, Director of Enforcement and Compliance at the Commission, who introduced committee members to the Executive Secretary and reiterated the role of the Federal Ministry of Information as mandated by the Act.
Dr. Suleiman Haruna, Director of Information at the Ministry of Information, confirmed the Ministry’s active commitment to advancing disability rights. He presented a strategic plan developed by the committee to drive this mission forward, stating, “The Ministry is committed to fulfilling its role in ensuring that the principles of the Disability Act are widely recognized and implemented.”
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities under the the watch of Chief Ayuba Gufwan remains committed to fostering a more inclusive society for all Nigerians, advocating for robust compliance with the Disability Act, and advancing the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.