The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq, has said that efforts are on-going towards the establishment of the National Commission for Persons Living with Disabilities in Nigeria.
She disclosed this while receiving delegates of the Coalition of International Non–Governmental Organisations working on Disability, in Abuja.
The Minister said, “The President signed into law in January 2019 the Act establishing the Discrimination Against Persons Living with Disabilities (Prohibition Act), in fulfilment of our obligation under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adding that the Acts establishes of the National Commission is to ensure the monitoring, evaluation and realization of government policy objectives on persons with disabilities.
Farouq added that it will be an avenue where the complaints of persons with disabilities on the violation of their rights are Receive and to ensure research, development and education on disability issues and disables persons, liaise with the public and private sectors and other bodies to ensure that the peculiar interest of persons with disabilities are taken into consideration in every government policy, programme and activity.
She said, “The Ministry will be leveraging on their support for the take-off of the Disability Rights Commission for the mobilization of resources and building capacity is fundamental to the take-off and sustainability of the Commission”.
The Country Director who is also the leader of the delegation, Sight Savers, Dr. Sunday Ishaku, commended the Minister for providing interventions for the disabled people especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, in line with the mandate of the Ministry.
He also appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government for providing 10% of the new N-Power to the People Living with Disabilities in the country and her efforts towards championing the establishment of the National Commission for People Living with Disabilities.
Source: leadership
