States Urged To Domesticate, Implement Disability Act

*Group To Train 10 Million In Food Production

The Africa Polling Institute (API), a non-profit research institute has said that the domestication of the Discrimination against Persons with Disability Act (2018) remained crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.

The institute made this known at the “National Disability Data in Nigeria Report” launch in Abuja.

The report, an important component of the Nigeria Disability Research Project, was carried out by the institute, in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics.

The project, which had the support of the Ford Foundation, was done to develop a reservoir of data of People with Disabilities (PWDs).

Only 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have domesticated the Act.

The Acting Executive Director of API, Dr Olugbenga Ogunmefun said the lack of data on PWDs had contributed to the various problems and challenges facing the group.

He added that to enhance the functionality and productivity of PWDs, deliberate efforts must be made towards domesticating the Act in all states and the FCT.

“In 2021, we had a grant from the Ford Foundation to go into the disability community to gather data and to have action research, about the domestication of the Disability Act as signed by President Muhammadu Buhari. We did that and we have four reports at the end of the whole exercise.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University and a scholar on the project, Prof. Elias Wahab, said it was important for Nigeria to promote an inclusive society for all.

Wahab said: “Nigeria will gain a lot from this report because if we look at the SDGs, about five of them concern people with disabilities.”

The Consultant to API, Dr Israel Balogun added that massive awareness on the plights of persons with disabilities must be made by the government.

Also, Faith and Good Works of Destiny (FAGWO D) has concluded arrangements to train about 10 million Nigerians in food production.

The group said the move became imperative following the spate of poverty and economic decline in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of FAGWOD, Bishop Eberechris Agakaizu, said this during a press conference whose theme was “Nigeria of Our Vision,” in Abuja at the weekend.