The Executive Secretary, National Commission for persons with Disability (NCPWD), Mr. James Lalu, has said that the commission would bring together the disability community to strategize on enhancing their lives across the country.
Lalu said this on Monday, at the inauguration of a twin Committee to plan for the ‘forthcoming 1st World Summit on PWDs in Abuja, in December.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee comprised Advisory and Technical components, with members of the advisory committee including Lalu, Dr Jake Ekpelle, David Anyaele, Danlami Basharu, Dr Irene Patrick-Ogbogu, Mrs Ekaete Judith Umoh, David Okon, Dr Chike Ogagu and Sen. Achoun.
The Technical Committee, on the other hand, had as members; Grace Jerry, Amina Salihu, Christian Agbor, Muyiwa Afolabi, Rasak Adekoya and Musa Muazu.
“The Summit had already been conceived some few years ago, as some of our leaders were planning for it before the NCPWD came in.
“It is our institution, our day, and we are planning seriously for it. So, it is now our sole responsibility to join hands as one strong team and community to make sure we achieve this.
“The Summit is coming up on Dec. 3. It is a day that we are going to bring ‘who is who’ in the country to discuss how to enhance the lives of PWDs across 774 Local Government Areas.
“We will continue to bring the issues of disability to the front burner of national discourse.
”The Commission is really poised to ensure that PWDs across the country have a better life, so as to also contribute to the development of the country,” Lalu said.
Dr. Husseini Kangiwa, the Chairman, Board of NCPWD, thanked Lalu for the initiative and thoughts about the Summit, saying that it would assemble critical stakeholders in disability, to chart a way forward for the community in the country.
“The calibre of people I see here will make the summit of international standard and a success.
”I am calling on the Executive Secretary and his management team to cooperate with the members of the committee. With what I saw, the Executive Secretary has a focus to touch the lives of PWDs across the 774 local government,” he said.
Ekpelle, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Albino Foundation, said it was time for Nigeria to take over the leadership of disability in Africa from Kenya.
Kenya is at the forefront of the disability movement in Africa, yet it is just like one or two states put together in Nigeria., he said.
“I believe with the calibre of individuals on the Committee, we will occupy the leadership of disability, not only in Africa, but, the whole world,” he added.
Ekpelle said that the disability community was greater and bigger than any individual and that the commission should ensure that members of the community benefitted from the Summit. (NAN).
