Dr Paul Abolo with MRS. ANGELINA UGBEN
FOUNDER/PRESIDENT, GLOBAL DISABILITIES GREEN INITIATIVE (GDGI)
during the Unveiling at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
By Christiana Ekpa
The Global Disabilities Green Initiative (GDGI) an NGO, has pledged to train 10,000 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) as green leaders to be key agents of change in the green economy by 2030.
The founder of GDGI, Mrs Angelina Ugben made the pledge on Thursday during the unveiling of the initiative’s five-year plan at the National Assembly Complex on Thursday in Abuja.
In her remarks, Ugben said the initiative was born out of a belief that disability and sustainability could walk hand in gloves as against long-standing narratives that excluded PWDs from environmental action.
According to her, PWD are not problems to solve but they are pioneers to empower; this is not charity, it is justice in action.
Ugben explained that the mandate includes equipping PWDs with clean energy skills and entrepreneurship opportunities.
She said it included ensuring climate policies are co-designed with, not for, PWDs by tapping the innovation potential of PWDs to create adaptive, disability-smart solutions in agriculture, energy, and technology
“In just eight months, GDGI has planted 50 symbolic trees in Karon Majigi, FCT, in partnership with Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD)
“We have trained 25 PWDs in solar photovoltaic installation, in collaboration with ASTEVEN Energy Institute.
“We have distributed 100 solar lamps to students in underserved communities through a partnership with the Smiling Simon Greenbuild Foundation and Light Up Africa.
“We have also advocated for disability-inclusive climate action at national and international levels, including the United Nations and ECOWAS,” she said.
The founder challenged stakeholders in government, the private sector, and civil society to embrace the vision of an inclusive green economy, saying that PWDs must no longer be left out of the sustainability equation.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on PWD, Rep. Bashiru Dawodu commended by founder for the initiative saying that he is proud of the organisation.
Represented by a member of the committee, Rep. Fayinka Oluwatoyin, Dawodu said that
PWD are over 30 million in Nigeria and face several challenges every day including discrimination, access employment among others.
“It is because of the belief that these challenges cannot be ameliorated without legislation that the National assembly passed Discrimination against persons with Disability Act in 2018.
“This law protects the rights of PWD in Nigeria and I also have to underscore the significant role played by the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in making the law a reality.
It is noteworthy that the law has a moratorium which expired January 2024, our committee also has the mandate to monitor compliance and implementation of the law.
“We have started the process of doing this and in this connection you will hear more on this in the near future,” he said.
In his good will message,,Deputy Director, Federal ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, Garba Magaji who represented the minister in the ministry commended the initiative and pledged the minisrty’s support and collaboration.
“We are going to partner in ensuring that people with disabilities are taken care of” he added.
