By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reinforced its commitment to social equity by unveiling the FCT Disability Policy Document, a strategic framework designed to safeguard the rights and welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
During a courtesy visit from the FCT Chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), the Mandate Secretary for the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Hon. Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, announced the establishment of a dedicated Disability Desk Unit within the Secretariat.
According to a statement by Josie Mudasiru Deputy Director, Information, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat in a move toward authentic representation, the unit will be headed by a member of the PWD community.
It added that Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi emphasized that the “Nothing about you, without you” mantra is the driving force behind the FCTA’s new direction.
She noted that the Disability Act and Policy implementation is a high-level collaboration with the World Bank, personally signed by FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
”The setting up of the Disability Desk is meant to be institutionalized so that it will be replicated in every Secretariat, Department, and Agency within the FCT”, Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi stated.
She further hinted at the future establishment of a full-fledged FCT Disability Agency, citing Minister Wike’s track record of inclusive policies—including the historic designation of December 10th as a day to celebrate the Adolescent Girl Child—as evidence of the administration’s political will.
The Mandate Secretary concluded the session by calling on stakeholders and partners to dismantle the systemic barriers hindering PWDs from full societal participation.
She assured JONAPWD that the FCTA remains a steadfast partner in protecting the dignity and interests of the disability community.
While praising the FCTA’s progress, the Acting Chairman of JONAPWD FCT, Mr. Ayoade Beyioku Alase, highlighted the urgency of domesticating the Disability Act.
He pointed out that while 25 states in Nigeria have already done so, the FCT remains the only entity in the North Central region without its own Disability Agency.
He added that JONAPWD’s key priorities include provision of free health insurance and disability-friendly hospital services; ensuring all public facilities are physically accessible; employment equity and continued empowerment schemes; and inclusion of PWD-specific data in planning and infrastructure development.
Mr. Alase also expressed gratitude to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her recent empowerment initiative which provided 250 PWDs with ₦200,000 each.
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