ADAC praises Gov Otti victory at tribunal

…holds rally to create awareness on Abia state disability agency

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Advocacy for Disability Act (ADAC) Cluster has hailed the victory of Governor Alex Otti of Abia state at the Tribunal.

The also applauds the Governor for creating office of Special Assistant on Vulnerability and PWDs especially the appointment of PWDs into his cabinet.

It said it was good steps in the right direction and evidence of inclusive governance, raining the hope for full implementation of the provisions of the Abia State Disability Law in the inclusive government.

The group, made up of El-New Hope Foundation Abia State, Global Youth Empowerment and Vulnerable Initiative Adamawa State, Lawanti Development Community Foundation Gombe State, Center for Peace Education and Community Development Taraba State is led by Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) in Abuja.

Speaking at a rally to create awareness and sensitization about the Abia State Disability Commission, the group said it was implementing the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) through Palladium and funded by USAID.

Grace Jerry, Executive Director, Inclusive Friends Association (IFA)and ADAC Cluster Anchor said the awareness creation was a way of closing the knowledge deficit that exists between the citizenry, the government institution and to drive the sustainability of the Commission.

She noted that this move became imperative because implementation of the Abia State Disability law required a multi stakeholders approach and not a responsibility of the government alone.

She said: “The private Sector, Traditional Institutions, Religious Institutions, and families of Persons with Disabilities PWDs must all come together to implement the provisions of the Disability Law which drives the sustainability of same.

“Adhering to the provisions of the Abia State Disability law in line with the inclusive agenda of the government will no doubt improve the lots of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Abia State.

“ADAC considers the importance of information strategic towards ensuring sustainability of the Disability Commission in Abia State hence this rally is put in place.”

To achieve these, she said there was the need for government agencies in Abia state to ensure that the Health, Education, Transportation, and other institutions of government are Inclusive and accessible for clusters of Disabilities.

“ADAC Calls for adequate budget allocation and disbursement to the Commission to enable it discharge it constitutional responsibility to the community of PWDs and humanity at large.

“That the private Sector should be Inclusive, provide employment for Persons with Disabilities PWDs and ensure provision of reasonable accommodation to enable them work efficiently and seamlessly.

“We call on Private Sector to provide PWDs oriented programming through the use of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

“We call on the citizenry to increase their support to the sustainability of the Abia State Disability Commission.

“The Religious and Traditional Institutions should support PWDs through increase Sensitization using their structured platforms for behavioral change so as to eradicate Discrimination against PWDs.”