Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, have been told to strengthen established policies set aside for welfare, rights and protection of persons with disabilities (PWD) in the state.
Stakeholders made the call at Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka, during an event to commemorate ANSDRC’s one year anniversary in the state.
The stakeholders urged the governor to ensure the implementation of the disabilities rights law by releasing fund to Anambra State Disabilities Rights Commission (ANSDRC) for optimal function of the body.
Recall that ANSDRC was established and inaugurated in 2021 by former governor Willie Obiano with powers to implement the provisions of the law and create a one-stop for all disability issues and services in the state.
Stakeholders at the event tagged “The Journey So Far” criticized Soludo over his perceived poor attention concern and funding of the commission, noting that the governor needs to stand by the commission to enable it achieve its goal and objectives.
Speaking at the event, former Nigeria Ambassador to South Africa, Mrs Uche Ajuluchukwu, regretted that the governor has neglected persons with disabilities and has shown little concern to their plights in the state.
According to her, it was painful that the governor never budgeted or disbursed funds to the ASDRC since inception of his administration despite their contributions to his election in 2021 and capacities to help engender good governance and development of the State.
“I am calling on governor Chukwuma Soludo to show a sense of inclusion in this administration and policy of continuity. It is not good that his predecessor (Obiano) made Anambra State proud by domesticating the disability rights law which is in the United Nations charter. He should remember that we voted for him. It is not good that he abandoned them because no one knows tomorrow.
“It is not fair that no single naira was budgeted or release to the commission since governor Soludo took over. Why did Anambra State House of Assembly passed the 2023 budget without including provisions for funding of the State Disability Rights Commission? I am reminding them and Mr governor to do something about the PWDs and ANSDRC now in case they forgot.
“Our members are focused in what they are doing. They are people you can trust. The PWDs who have undergone computer training should be recruited as computer and data officers. They are people that cannot be bribed to alter data once is genuinely computed. They stand for truth,” she added.
At the event, the commission gave special recognition to five disability sports medalists who had made the state proud.
They are Esther Nwadika, who had won five medals, including silver and bronze at the national festival in Javelin, shotput and discuss (2022); Mr Celestine Ezeabikwa, that won bronze in weight lifting in 2018; and Ms Nwachukwu Nneamaka, that won bronze in table tennis at the 2022 National Sports festival.
Others are Mr Okwuchukwu Ugwumadu, who got Bronze in Table tennis in 2020; Ms Iyiazi Njideka, gold medalist in Javelin shotput and discuss in an International sports event in 2022; and Ms Nkolika Nwakile, that earned bronze in Badminton in 2022.
The commission also presented certificates to about twelve members of the disability community who were trained in Information and Communication Technologies, including Miss Chidimma Ajemba, their information officer, and urged them to use the knowledge to explore and impact the world.
In his address, ANSDRC Chairman, Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie, said the medalists made the commission and Anambra State proud by distinguishing selves in special sports nationally and internationally.
He specially recognised Miss Vivian Ezeonwumelu, who is currently in the United Kingdom having won an award from Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.
Ezewuzie also listed some achievements of the commission in the past one year to include capacity building and staff development through information Communication Technologies, inculcation of the spirit of volunteering, promotion of special sports, eye and skin care training for people with albinism, and donation of mobility training for the visually impaired, provision of deaf community services to state official events, electronic-government.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ify Obinabo, remarked that the State government is ready to work and ensure that the rights of the disability community are been protected, adding that more of them would be trained and empowered accordingly.
Also speaking, the Principal Secretary to former governor Obiano, Sir Willie Nwokoye, encouraged disability community to maximise their abilities and skills to become sufficient and employers of labour.
