By Ngozi Nwankwo
Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youths with Disabilities (HIFWYD), a leading non-governmental organisation dedicated to the advancement of individuals with disabilities, paid a significant visit to the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Gufwan in his office to fashion ways of alleviating hardship from persons with disabilities.
The meeting also focused on creating a collaborative framework aimed at empowering women and youths with disabilities across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
HIFWYD’s team leader, Esther Nwite Oluchi, congratulated Chief Ayuba Gufwan on his recent appointment, expressing the organization’s commitment to partner closely with the Commission to promote and advance its mission.
Oluchi highlighted HIFWYD’s intent to aid the Commission in implementing outreach programs to reach persons with disabilities across Nigeria’s local government areas.
Addressing the core objectives of the partnership, Dr. Adebukola Adebayo, a senior member of the team, emphasized the organization’s strategic goal to establish Disability Units within every local government area nationwide.
“This initiative aims to create a supportive infrastructure that ensures people with disabilities can access the resources and assistance they need, directly within their communities,” Dr. Adebayo stated.
In his remarks, Chief Ayuba Gufwan noted the disproportionate challenges faced by women with disabilities, particularly in the areas of education and skill acquisition. He affirmed the Commission’s dedication to address these needs, underscoring the vital role of organizations like HIFWYD in achieving these goals.
The event culminated in the presentation of the Local Government Disability Framework, which outlines a comprehensive approach to ensuring inclusive development and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities at the grassroots level.
This collaboration between Foundation and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities signals a promising step toward a more inclusive and empowered future for persons with disabilities across Nigeria.