Enugu – The Enugu State Disability Community has extended a congratulatory message to the newly inaugurated Governor of the state, Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, PhD on his assumption of office.
They equally presented a charter of demands to him including “a Bill for a law to provide for the full integration of persons with disabilities into the society, establishment of the Enugu State persons with disabilities Commission, etc”.
This was contained in a statement issued today, Saturday, 3rd June, 2023 by Comrade Onyebuchi Mba, State chairman,
Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD)
It reads in full:
“PRESS RELEASE
FROM JOINT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (JONAPWD)
ENUGU STATE CHAPTER.
Saturday the 3rd day of June, 2023.
Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Enugu State chapter is an umbrella body across the Nigeria federation consisting of all persons with disabilities which includes but not limited to the following, the blind, the physically challenged, Spinal Cord Injured persons, persons with Albinism, the deaf, persons affected with leprosy and many others, and was in 1992 registered under the corporate affairs commission (CAC) in Nigeria.
The principal objectives of the Association are geared towards the general welfare of persons with disabilities socially, educationally, economically and otherwise.
The platform serves as the voice of disability community across the federation.
It engaged the State and non State actors for disability rights inclusion in all societal policies and programs for equity and justice and ensure the protection of human dignity.
OUR CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE,
We sincerely felicitate with you the Executive Governor of Enugu State (Rt. Hon. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah) for a successful electoral process that enthrone you into the seat of power as our new State Governor.
This special community prays that God Almighty bestow in you the grace of wisdom to administer the affairs of the State with fear of God and quality service to mankind.
Enugu State Disability Community wishs you a successful tenure in office and by his grace you shall not fail.
Your Excellency,
OUR REQUEST,
a Bill for a law to provide for the full integration of persons with disabilities into the society, establish the Enugu State persons with disabilities Commission and vest in the Commission the responsibilities for their Education, health, social, economic and civil rights and other connected purposes otherwise refered to as Enugu State Discrimination Against Person’s with Disabilities Prohibition Bill of 2022 was on Tuesday the 4th of April, 2023 passed into law by the State Assembly legislators,
and was subsequently signed into Law by the immediate past Governor of the State(Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi).
It is a machinery towards inclusive society for all in governance with paradigm shift from charity to right base approach on disability matters.
It is mind-blowing and serves as a morale booster to thousands of persons with disabilities across the 17 local government areas of the State.
We the community of persons with disabilities in Enugu State welcome with wholeheartedly your TOMORROW IS HERE SLOGAN at this stage of implementation of the inclusive legislation in governance which hence registers are dear State Enugu in the world designed principles for inclusive society.
With profound humility we implore you our Dear Executive Governor to set up the Enugu State Disability Commission and constitute it’s board as provided by the law to ensure its kickoff as over 20 States across the federation have gone ahead in this process.
We look up to you in our desperation for equity, fairness and respect for human dignity in promoting self-discovery and reliance other than self pity and perpetual liability as seen in disability community.
Your Excellency, members of this special community have suffered series of untold neglects, discriminations and maltreatment hence call on you to expedite action towards promoting their rights and giving them a sense of belonging in your government, including creating a disability desk, and giving us at least 5% appointment into political positions under your administration as the law provided.
This will serve as unprecedented and register you as a disability friendly Governor with interest for their self development, especially in consideration to your (TOMORROW IS HERE SLOGAN) which gives hope to the hopeless.
Our university graduates and other vulnerable folks are scattered allover the streets under the mercies of the unscrupulous individuals who merchandise with their predicaments, and good enough the disability legislation captures their interests and stipulates penalties for such surreptitious activities.
May you be the much-anticipated messiah we have waited and prayed for over the years in Enugu State disability matters.
May the Almighty keep, preserve and strengthens you as you pilot the affairs of our dear State.
Live long Your Excellency the Executive Governor of Enugu State.
Indeed, (OUR TOMORROW IS HERE) in Enugu State Disability Community.
Signed: Comrade Onyebuchi Mba,
State chairman,
Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).
Phone, (07034441164)/(08024256948).”
